Since the summer of 2016, a debate has been brewing for whether or not women should be allowed topless on the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland. This controversy has made its way from the sandy beaches to the cold courtrooms.
Five women — Chelsea Eline of Salisbury, MD, along with Rose MacGregor of Salisbury, Megan Bryant of Lothian, MD, Christine Coleman of Long Island, NY and Angela Urban of Pittsburgh, PA — have filed a lawsuit against the town. These women and many others believe in ‘top freedom,’ where men and women should have the equal right to be topless on the beach. The lawsuit is to declare that the ordinance against going topless violates an equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and the Declaration of Rights to the Maryland Constitution.
The town has declined to stop enforcement on striking down its mandate on topless women, and any woman who bares her breasts on the Ocean City beach may be fined up to $1,000. Because of this, the plaintiffs and their attorney, civil rights attorney Devon Jacob, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on June 29. Now, Ocean City has until July 27 to prepare a defense in order to deny the motion to dismantle its ordinance on topless women until a decision can finally be made.
Jacob feels strongly about this topic in Ocean City, saying, “Public funds [are] being wasted on trying to shield citizens from seeing a couple of naked female breasts,” and that this money could ” be used to make Ocean City truly family-friendly” which includes to “fight crime, feed the homeless, fight drug addiction and care for children and the elderly.โ
Last summer, the Ocean City beach patrol, was instructed to document complaints about topless women, but they were told not to approach them; before the complaints were made, the beach patrol would tell women to cover up. The change prompted a statement from the town that stated, “Ocean City is not a topless beach and will not become a topless beach.”
What do you think – does it matter if women are allowed topless?
I don’t live in OC, MD but I did for a summer, and vacation there.
To me, doesn’t matter who is topless. Mind your own backyard. “Children” are tomorrow’s women and men. I have 2 daughters and have taught them since they were young, most things in life are a choice, make your choices wisely, because all yield consequences – good and bad.
Got a feeling before there was modesty, people covered up their privates to protect them from the elements.
With everything going on in the world, this is small potatoes. There are bigger fish to catch.
Yes, I agree. The Bible should not be used to force others to wear a shirt just because you don’t want to. I agree with not causing those who are weak to stumble. How far that goes is an individual decision. Do you still eat desert in a restaurant if a struggling glutton is seated near you? They may see your chocolate pie and stumble again.
Freedom is enjoying this world the way you like. No one is being forced to not wear a shirt. Women ARE being forced TO wear a shirt. That IS forcing you views on others. Our bodies are formed in the image of God. Why does God’s image offend you?
How has this lawsuit not been thrown out yet? What a waste of money for Ocean City to defend a frivolous lawsuit from a few hippie nudists.
Isn’t there a top less beach somewhere between Maryland and Delaware they can go? I love OCMD and do not want to see female breasts hanging out.
Hey! A segregated beach for barechested women is a great idea. Only breasts actually in service as child nourishment should be allowed on the family beaches. Non-working breasts should have their own section of beach.
While you are segregating, reserve the back of the bus for barechested women. They could have their own water fountains as well.
History shows that equality is never given away, its fought for…….
God made our bodies in his own image. So why are people so offended, alarmed, embarrassed, at the image of their creator?
Our bodies are God’s finest work of art. Appreciate the beauty of all people. God made Eve to walk this earth beside Adam. Genesis 2:25 “The man his wife were naked, and not ashamed” God said it is good.
All this about “family friendly”. What is more family friendly than the breasts that nourish the children. Based on the logic that breasts are harmful, should breastfeeding children be blindfolded to protect them from the sight of those evil nipples.
Men and women are equal. Yet a man and woman enjoying the beach, side-by-side, barechested, she is committing a crime. He is not. God made man and woman equal, Ocean City made her body a crime. The Taliban would be proud of Ocean City, keeping women covered.
Youโve got a lot more reading to do in your bible. You can start with these 2 scriptures.
1 Peter 2:11 โDear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.โ
1 Corinthians 8:9 โBe careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.โ
Thank you Kelly. Seeing people as equals is not a sinful desire as you mention. Appreciation of the beauty of a flower, sunrise, or a person is not sexual. Enjoying a sunny day at the beach bare chested is not sexual.
God would never command anyone to sin, yet he commanded Isaiah to preach the gospel naked for three years. Thats in your Bible also.
some people always try to use a bible to justify their attempts at telling others what to do. That’s bad enough but they don’t even do what they try to force others to do. I think the word is hypocrite.
Yes, I agree. The Bible should not be used to force others to wear a shirt just because you don’t want to. I agree with not causing those who are weak to stumble. How far that goes is an individual decision. Do you still eat desert in a restaurant if a struggling glutton is seated near you? They may see your chocolate pie and stumble again.
Freedom is enjoying this world the way you like. No one is being forced to not wear a shirt. Women ARE being forced TO wear a shirt. That IS forcing you views on others. Our bodies are formed in the image of God. Why does God’s image offend you?
The fact that this conversation is taking place right now is ridiculous!!! Are we serious???? Topless women on a beach where there is children on every inch of that beach??? The kind of women who would even think of doing something like this are the same kind of women who will scream sexual harassment when a guy tries to talk to them. Do Not let this happen! We have creeps that purposely go to the beach just to see womenโs bodies and when they see those men staring at them they cannot get mad because you are asking for it.
Go Topless at your own homes dummies!
Why are men “creeps” because they go to a beach to look at women? Despite the wussification attempts of American men, that has been going on since time began. It’s completely natural and nothing “creepy” about it, until some make it creepy. I have been to topless beaches before and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Most “tops” you see are of older women, out of shape women, and others who you wish would put a shirt on versus taking one off. After a short period of time, seeing anyone naked won’t be a big deal or arouse anyone. It is just the restriction and being taboo that excites people. It’s not that big of a deal really.
tell me were the top less women are in OC I make plans for my vacation there. I haven’t bentered to Ocean City since I left maryland in 2005 but if it’s toplease Ill make a point to spend a week at thevbeach
Either make a designated area for women to be top less or not at all, I take my kids there every year on vacation I do not want my sons seeing topless women on a family oriented beach.
There is absolutely no reason women need to bare their breast to the public. There are too many children on the beach. Ocean City stand strong against this…our morals are at stake.
Doesnt bother me but i have some problems with Jacob’s comments. She states that funds should go to making OC a family friendly place and as i see it women walking around topless really wouldnt set that example. Futhermore if women want to be topless on the beach than so be it but i dont want to start hearing complaints of the male “gaze” spring up as a reaction to it. Lastly, the best way to deal with this is to use Democracy and put it up for a vote with OC itself. If its residents vote to have topless beaches than great, if not, that should be ok too. No city (or beach in this case) should be forced to change policies within their city limits based on the minority which ever side that may be.