Topless event rooted in equality, participants say

Organizers expect about 80 women and men to go topless for an upcoming event in Saskatoon, in an effort to highlight inequality.

The Aug. 23 event, which will coincide with others across Canada, aims to “reduce the nipple stigma” while working to increase “body positivity for young women,” according to its Facebook page.

Kendelle Marr, who plans to participate, said the demonstration is a chance for people to speak out against a mindframe she feels is stuck in the past.

“I believe that women’s bodies are not something to be ashamed of or sexualized,” Marr said in an interview over social media.

“Everyone has nipples, men and women alike, and I don’t agree that we need to cover ours.”

“WOMEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO WEAR WHAT THEY LIKE WITHOUT FEAR OF RAPE OR JUDGMENT. ” KENDELLE MARR

She compared the mindset around toplessness to a time when women had to wear long skirts to conceal their ankles as a way to prevent men from being worked into a “sexual frenzy.”

“It’s also about standing up against the idea that showing skin, or wearing what is considered ‘slutty’ clothing, gives a man the excuse to rape women,” she said.

“Women should be able to wear what they like without fear of rape or judgment. We should be proud of our bodies, seeing them as strong and our own.”

The Facebook page for the event says the rally is not “an act of protest or a political demonstration of any sort,” but instead an opportunity for “celebrating our human rights,” and is open to all genders.

In August 2013, Saskatoon city police responded to a complaint about a topless woman from a mother who was concerned for her son.

Police spokeswoman Alyson Edwards said the incident was resolved without issue when an officer spoke to the woman and she chose to put her top back on.

However, Edwards noted the police response is complaint-driven and every instance is different.

“Each situation would have to be looked at and each of the circumstances would have to be looked at,” Edwards said. “Then it would be at the discretion of the officer.”

Shaylee Foord, who plans to take part, said she’s participating to demonstrate that going topless as a woman is not a lewd act.

“The big message here is that women should be able to — without judgment — go and be comfortable on the beach, whether that means wearing a full cover up or going topless,” she said. “It’s not something that’s illegal and it shouldn’t be something that people feel is indecent.”

Foord said the issue is widespread and goes beyond the limits of any one Canadian city.

“I think that public perception, anywhere you go, is that it’s not really OK, and I think that’s what we’re trying to change,” she said.

Edwards said police are working on a plan to accommodate complaints from the public concerning the event, while also working to keep its participants safe.

Organizers said participants can also show their support while wearing a top — or men can wear a bikini — and are asked to be considerate and responsible throughout the event.

It starts at 1 p.m. at the Spadina sandbar. Similar events are scheduled in Vancouver and Montreal.