Updated June 16th/97
Publisher/Editor Joe Ingino
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HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?
Some have been offended. Some have been amused. And many are wondering just how
many bare breasts will show up on Ontario streets this summer.
This week in Toronto Three strippers turned up the heat Monday by sitting topless
in
lawn chairs outside their club on a busy east-end street, casually sipping mineral
water as cars screeched to a halt so passengers could snap photos. "It feels
great! It feels really good!" said Miranda Rytes, 26. "Oh man, we should
have done this a long time ago."
Last December, an Ontario Court of appeal overturned an
indecency conviction against Gwen Jacobs, who doffed her shirt to stroll the streets
of Guelph, Ont., on a hot day in July 1991.
That opened the door to bare breasts in a province where the occasional outbreak
of nudity on a beach has rankled conservative sensibilities.
In the past week, a woman in Welland caused titters when she mowed her lawn shirtless,
hookers in Ottawa stopped traffic by displaying their wares and a woman interrupted
a Toronto seniors' festival wearing nothing but nipple rings above the waist.
The same court ruling that permits bare breasts in places like public stadiums also
stipulates bosoms may not be displayed for business or sexual purposes.
One of those who turned out for the suntan session was 48-year-old Bruce Flemming.
As a nudist, he said he supports women who wish to bare their breasts. "But
it should be limited to public parks or swimming pools or whatever," he said.
"When strippers go topless in front of a strip establishment, they're doing
it for commercial reasons. It's exploitation of the
human body." Ed Paine, who is "just over 80," didn't see anything
wrong with the breast-baring. In fact, he couldn't see enough. "I wish my eyesight
was better," he said wistfully. "It's frustrating sometimes."
No one wants bare-breasted women "in your face" on the streets of downtown
Toronto, Ontario Premier Mike Harris suggested Tuesday.
But topless sun worshippers on the beach? That's a different matter, he said.
An Ontario Court of Appeal ruling last year said bare breasts are illegal only if
exposed for commercial purposes.
But the premier said he'd like the law to at least limit the right of women to doff
their tops in some public places.
"Sunbathing on a beach where people know they may be topless would be characterized
differently from somebody... a young lady who intruded on a senior citizens'
gathering," he said. "I think there is something in between those two
... The challenge is how do you find that line." As the weather in Ontario
finally warms up, the topless judgment is starting to have an impact, with a smattering
of
women exercising their newfound rights and getting varied reactions.
"I don't think that is acceptable and I don't think my views far off society's
views," Harris said of the bare-chested washers. "I think we're going
to have to do something. I think this summer will point out that we're going to
have to find out
where that line is."
But he added that community standards, not his own views, must hold sway.
Yet across the country in Winnipeg on Wednesday a parade was, shall we say, a complete
bust.
A Winnipeg radio talk show host attracted only two takers to his suggestion women
join him at a downtown park Wednesday and walk topless down Portage Avenue, a busy
street.
Their destination was radio station CJOB, where they discussed the issue of baring
breasts in public and events in Ontario that are responsible for all the furore.
Apparently, however, the two were the only ones willing to sign waivers that cleared
CJOB of any legal responsibility for going topless. Winnipeg police said it was
unlikely anyone was going to be charged regardless.
In Durham, Durham Police Services Public Relations Officer Grimley said. Our officers
will not be arresting anyone for going topless. We will act upon any complaints
by informing the individual that they are offending someone, and that is how far
it be dealt with." He added "We will be dealing with each case individually."
When asked about any parameters that may restrict a male or female from going topless
in Oshawa. He said "As far as we are concerned they can walk up and down Simcoe
St as long as they not communicating for the purpose of prostitution."
City Councillor Ward One Brian Nicholson was asked how this would affect his ward
in that Lakeview Park sit within his ward. He said "I don't think I will have
any problems in my ward. Firstly there is a mighty strong cold wind off the Lake
even in the hottest days of the summer so I don't see too many women baring their
breast. Secondly most women that live in Oshawa know that many strange characters
frequent the beach and Park area. From a security point of view I don't see them
taking of their tops." When asked if this matter will make itself to Council,
he said "this is not a municipal matter, there is nothing we can do. We will
have an internal policy and instructing staff that if anyone complaints at a local
pool or public place about someone going topless that the individual will be quietly
approached and told that he or she is offending someone else." Technically
that is all the City can do. And Technically that is all Durham Regional police
can do.
Mr Nicholson said "Most of the women that will do it will do it to get some
press as a sign of rebellion. Ithink that if we ignore the issue no one will pay
any attention. If everyone keeps their heads on maybe they will keep their tops
on."
On Friday the Mayors Office began to receive calls from upset residents that a woman
was rollerblading at Lake View Park topless. On the beach various women would undo
their tops but not bare the wares.
We took it to the street and asked women on Simcoe and Bond if they would bare it
at the beach and 98% said NO 2% did not answer.
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