Woman Promotes the Right to Go Topless

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 22, 2005 | Robert Salladay

[Ramonan]

SACRAMENTO — As a Ventura County public defender, Liana Johnsson has handled many life-changing cases, but her biggest public crusade these days has been going topless.

For months, Johnsson has been fighting to allow topless women at California beaches and parks.

A group of lawyers, at Johnsson's request, has asked the Legislature to make topless sunbathing legal, saying the ban is the last criminal sanction that treats women differently than men.

The new movement has urgency: Because of a December court ruling, Johnsson and other attorneys contend, women convicted of indecent exposure could find themselves listed as sex offenders under Megan's Law, alongside rapists and child molesters.

The office of state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer said women should not be concerned about being identified as sex offenders, given that California law considers topless sunbathing to be indecent but not lewd. Lawmakers may soon be tackling the issue to remove any chance of misinterpretation by local prosecutors.

Before her idea reached Sacramento this week, Johnsson presented her arguments to more than 400 delegates at an October bar association convention. She flashed images on a screen of the big-breasted male evildoer from "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," as she spoke.

The issue goes beyond topless sunbathing. The conference lobbyist, Randy Perry with Aaron Read & Associates, questioned whether fraternity boys mooning out a car window or golfers caught urinating in the woods would also be required to register as sex offenders now, if convicted of indecent exposure.

"What we're talking about is common sense," said Perry.

[zzen01]

CA again!

[doug from upland]

If they want a private beach far away from where families will be, then them go topless. I, of course, will be proud to lead a FReep there to protest them.

[Bon mots]

I think it should be legal. There is nothing wrong with a topless woman.

I would rather my kids see a topless woman on television than a murder. Unfortunately, in our day and culture they can easily see murder and even torture on television, but god forbid that they see a breast.

It's just common sense.

[Clintonfatigued]

If the lawsuit succeeds, then camera shops and photo developement labs will see an increase in business.

[explodingspleen]

saying the ban is the last criminal sanction that treats women differently than men.

Uhh... could possibly have something to do with the, ahem, difference between the chest of a woman and the chest of a man?

While am I not surprised that the libs think recognizing differences in human anatomy is sexist. . . .

[umgud]

You didn't read the unwritten forum rules that should state that you cannot post threads with certain keywords unless you also post pics.

[melbell]

No pictures please

[SmithL]

Will she complain if she's leered at and photographed while topless?

[expatguy]

prude

[JennysCool]

Well, in California it's already legal and quite popular to go around brainless.

[Emmett McCarthy]

I guess it'd be too obvious to point out that they have boobs runnin' the place.

[MisterRepublican]

This is militant feminism at it's most ridiculous. How many chicks out there are screaming for the right to show their boobs?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Stupid. If you make them commonplace, nobody will think they're cool anymore. : )

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Spent the last of December on South Beach, Miami.

Lovely, lovely, lovely beaches.

[Graymatter]

Who's got a recent pic of The Swimmer at the beach?

[John Lenin]

When the tsunami hits the CA coast will you blame it on God ?

[Drango]

Sweeeeeeet

[garyhope]

I vote yes with an age limit and a restriction that fat, out of shape men (if you know what I mean) should not be permitted to jog in public without a shirt.