As We See It

Cover your breasts in Vegas or go to jail

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Photo: Anthony Behar Sipa

On Aug. 26, people across the world celebrated Women’s Equality Day. One women’s rights group, however, celebrated it topless. GoTopless.org, which advocates a woman’s right to bare her chest in the same public spaces as men, spearheaded protests in over 50 cities across the world in which women shed their bras and shirts in legal public spaces.

But guess where they didn’t bare their bosoms? Here in Las Vegas, where GoTopless is based. This may be Sin City, but it turns out Nevada has some of the toughest nudity laws in the country. According to state law NRS 201.220, indecent exposure—which includes an exposed female breast—will land you up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $2,000. And that’s just the first time. A second offense kicks it up to a category D felony.

“Even with laws ensuring gender equality, women are still being arrested for going topless. The governments of the United States, Israel, France, the United Kingdom and Australia all supposedly guarantee gender equal rights. But GoTopless women have been clearly told they’re not free to go topless like men can, and that if they do, they will be fined and/or imprisoned," said GoTopless President Nadine Gary, calling the distinction "a blatant double standard."

Despite the risks, Gary said GoTopless is already planning to hold a protest in Las Vegas next year. Until then, you’re best off sticking to the “toptional” pools.

Follow Andrea Domanick on Twitter at @AndreaDomanick and fan her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AndreaDomanick.

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