July 28, 1998

REGINA (CP) _ A woman who recently won a court decision over going topless plans to take a dip with her supporters at an outdoor swimming pool on the weekend.

The topless swim-in at Wascana Pool is to show that women now have as much right to go topless as men, said Evangeline Godron. ``We want to firm up that right. It's about the right to choose,'' said Godron, 64. ``We should be free to go topless if we want to and be treated equal to men.''

Provincial court Judge Eugene Lewchuk earlier this month dismissed criminal charges against Godron and Kate Rice, 43, for creating an indecent exhibition in a public place. They where charged after they took their tops off in a park last August.

Lewchuk said his decision doesn't mean women are free to bare their breasts anywhere, any time, but reflects that the two women didn't cause a scene when they chose to suntan topless. He said there could be a conviction in different circumstances where it could be shown there was a risk of harm, a disturbance or that the conduct was of a sexual nature.

The ruling left some questions as to whether women who go bare-breasted in a crowd or in front of children could be charged and found guilty of a criminal offence, Godron said. ``When I change into my bathing suit at a pool dressing room I have to take my top off. I have never seen a child upset by my or anyone else's bare breasts.''

A city police spokeman said the department had no official comment on the planned topless swim-in.