The Right to be Top-Free in Pittsfield, MA

[Nude_not_rude]

This topic was recently posted on CFF by parkersunshine. I think there are some here who would be interested.

Recently, the City Council in Pittsfield voted 9-2 against creating a segregated top-free beach (a place for men and women to be top-free together) following a petition from at least 50 residents...

The Mayor stated it was "unacceptable and unnecessary".

The residents have not given up, and the City Code prohibits discrimination against people based on race, gender, etc., for purposes of recreation.

Under the City Code, at least, women can be top-free at the lake beaches, and the new Massachusetts law allowing public breast-feeding should help to decriminalize and de-sexualize the female breast.

The question is whether the local police/City will arrest women should they stop breast feeding and simply lie down and catch some rays (in other words, "If you aren't using your breast to feed, put it away maam").

If you feel so inclined to help support top-free equality and an end to government sanctioned sexual discrimination/harrassment of women who choose to be top-free in Pittsfield, MA, thoughtful letters to the editor of the local paper may help open some minds.

Western, MA could use a nude-beach, and a top-free beach should be a guaranteed legal right of equality, if not a good first step towards a real clothing-optional beach.

To send a letter to the editor:

E-mail your letters to letters@berkshireeagle.com.

Faxes may be sent to (413) 499-3419; news items may also be mailed to The Berkshire Eagle, Attn: News Department, P.O. Box 1171, Pittsfield, MA, 01202.

* The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters for length, style and content.

* All letters must include the author's address and telephone number.

* Writers are asked to limit their letters to 400 words in length. Shorter letters have a better chance of being published.

* The Eagle does not run anonymous letters, form letters or letters seeking funds.

* Do not send us attachments; avoid sending HTML-coded text, signature lines and e-mail backgrounds/stationary. Copy and paste the plain text into the body of the e-mail.