Posted on 03/01/2016 1:41:02 AM PST by billorites
CONCORD — A bill that would ban topless sunbathing by women at state beaches is needed to preserve New Hampshire values and the viability of tourism, or is a sexist affront to equal rights.
Both points of view were aired with great passion on Monday, as the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on HB 1525, a bill that adds bare female breasts to the definition of public indecency, indecent exposure and lewdness in state statutes, with an exception for breast feeding.
The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Brian Gallagher, R-Sanbornton, was approached by constituents last year after the “Free the Nipple” movement promoted topless sunbathing at state beaches, including Hampton Beach and Weirs Beach.
Two women cited for going topless at the Gilford town beach last September took their case to court and won. The judge observed that state law does not prohibit toplessness, and dismissed the charges.
Gallagher testified that the issue goes beyond topless sunbathing at state-run beaches.
“It’s a movement to change the values of New Hampshire society,” he said.
He raised the specter of bare breasts in public schools, Little League games, county fairs and the UNH alumni football game, and warned about economic consequences for the state.
“We want to be very careful not to create unintended consequences that will cause the decrease in tourism revenue to the general fund,” he said.
Republican state Rep. Peter Spanos of Winnisquam said it was time to draw a line. “A stand should be made,” he said. “We should address this issue now before we see further erosion of behavior ... Once the genie is out of the bottle, we can’t put it back in.”
That argument was repeated throughout the hearing by supporters of Gallager’s legislation.
“It seems to me the moral fiber of our state and entire country is losing ground,” Chelsea Davis of Tilton said. “You all have an opportunity before you to stop that decline.”
Fears called unfounded
Opponents of the legislation argued that it was unnecessary and discriminatory, because it penalizes women for something men are free to do.
“Public lewdness (for men or women) is already illegal,” said Democratic Rep. Timothy Horrigan of Durham. “Male toplessness is commonplace. Female toplessness is much less commonplace, but that doesn’t mean it should be illegal.”
Horrigan said fears of widespread female nudity are unfounded.
“I have a season ticket to UNH hockey, and I have never seen any toplessness there, nor at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, even though there are dumb men there constantly calling on their female companions to expose themselves,” he said.
Opponents of the legislation pointed out that until the 1930s, it was illegal in most states for men to go topless at the beach, and until the 1940s, two-piece bathing suits or bikinis were outlawed.
Democratic Rep. Amanda Bouldin of Manchester warned that lawmakers could unintentionally promote more topless protests by passing the legislation. “If you give them a reason to fight, you are going to encourage more toplessness in the form of civil disobedience,” she said.
Ambiguous laws
Gilles Bissonnette, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, said courts have ruled that citizens must tolerate offensive, insulting even outrageous speech and behavior “to allow breathing space for the free speech protections of the First Amendment.”
“This bill is intended to perpetuate traditional gender roles, and tell women what they can and can’t do with their own bodies,” he said.
The majority of states do not prosecute women under the criminal code for being topless in settings where it’s OK for men. Only Tennessee, Indiana and Utah have outright, clearly written bans like the one proposed in New Hampshire. Laws are ambiguous in 11 states, including Massachusetts.
“We’re not lunatics. We’re not radicals looking to go topless where it would not be public decorum,” said Kari Stephens of Hampton. “But where there is a man in a public space who is comfortable being topless, why should I not be?”
Kudos to the photographer.
Thanks for the mammaries.
Hamden Beach? Does anyone here know that is where the teens go especially if their parents let them go with a group of friends? Good gosh that place is hormonally changed enough in the summer, it doesn’t need topless, even with the Eye bleach lady...
No, I don’t know anything about Hamden Beach.
Thanks for info.
By the way, the eye bleach did not help.
Most frightening part is what the picture says about the mental state of the demonstrator.
Leftist ComDems are truly insane.
Did you notice the ear rings? In the ear, not through the ear. They appear to be inserted like the ones common in Africa, not attached with a piercing.
If the law requires a low BMI as a prerequisite, then I think I can be swayed to vote for it. However, in a couple years they will open the law to allow dudes to walk around with their junk hanging loose.
Those type of earrings are called ‘flesh tunnels’ according to my son.
Bunch of boobs.
I went to a nude beach one time. It was crowded as all get out when I arrived. I stripped down and set up my umbrella and what not. Next thing I knew there wasn’t a soul around. Best day I ever had at the beach.
They’re real and they’re spectacular!
disgusting.
Also called “gages” as I have been told by the youngin’s...
Ever notice that societies where women go bare breasted don’t evolve much beyond the grass hut stage?
That’s because breasts are wonderfully distracting. It’s difficult to get anything done or even plan things to do when the naked beauty of the female body is displayed all about.
Best to keep them covered up except for a special person, time, and place. They last longer that way, too.
;^)
I have trained myself to only notice the pretty ones....
This will lead to a lot of 911 calls for beached whales.
“If one were really disposed to be against it, I suppose there are effective countermeasures that could be deployed.
Something like “hey, one of them is lower than the other!””
And pretty soon you’ll be saying that for men who are “bottomless”!
Years ago I went to Blacks Beach, which is near La Jolla in California, once because it is clothing optional. You have to climb down these steep cliffs to get to it. I was expecting to see great things. The only thing I saw was guys! What the heck? Stayed just a short time as that wasn’t what was expected.
You’re right and she has shown them a few times both in cinema as well as on a balcony. However, expect now they’re not quite as spectacular as they once were.
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