Posted on 01/22/2005 1:05:48 PM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
There is one Ca. beach that allows nude sunbathing/swimming, isn't it called Blacks beach near San Diego? IMO once the beach roaming gang banger types start harrassing topless females tell those topless women not to go crying to the authorities. They've got more than they can handle already.
The ones who shouldn't will, and the ones that should won't. That's just the way the world works.
that's very noble of ya Douglas.
or Christian...but whichever you prefer...neither offends me
Well, in California it's already legal and quite popular to go around brainless
LOL too true. Maybe the new PC term for brainless should be topless.
That's not an argument in favor of toplessness by women -- its an argument in favor of making men wear shirts!
Why is the woman in the story really ugly or something?
Why are the people who want to troop around naked always the last people who should ever be naked in public?
Be careful what you ask for :)
I think this would be great, although there should be age and weight limits. For the men too. And while we're at it, a ban on old guys wearing speedos.
Me too! Side by side, we'll stay on that beach as long as the topless women do. We can put slogans on our beach umbrellas or something. I'll bring beer.
It's the least we can do for the women's movement.
"The ones who shouldn't will, and the ones that should won't. That's just the way the world works."
The women with Hot bodies are $MART enough to get paid for flashing their hardware in print media, etc., unlike THE DIZZY bubble brained girls who pose nude for FREE for The Girls Gone Wild video producers.
"I think it should be legal. There is nothing wrong with a topless woman"
Please try to remember, Helen Thomas, Hillary Clinton, Donna Shalala and Janet Reno are all (allegedly) women.
"Stupid. If you make them commonplace, nobody will think they're cool anymore. : )"
Uhh - speak for yourself. Let's do it for awhile - we'll see if we lose interest. :)
Now I regret asking for pics ;-)
So will the beaches.
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