Topfree Seven’s triumph
Celebrating 38 years since their arrest and the legal victory that reshaped gender equality in New York
Thirty eight years ago, on June 21, 1986, seven women, led by Ramona Santorelli and Mary Lou Schloss, were arrested in Cobbs Hill Park, Rochester, New York, for removing their shirts and exposing their breasts. This act of civil disobedience aimed to challenge a state law that prohibited women from being topless in public while allowing men to do so, highlighting the gender discrimination inherent in the law and asserting their right to equal treatment.
The trial in September 1986 saw these women acquitted, with the court ruling that their actions were protected as a form of free expression under the First Amendment. However, the late City Court Judge Herman Walz Jr. did not find the state law forbidding female toplessness unconstitutional; instead, he ruled that the women had the right to go topless as a protest but not leisurely in public. Dissatisfied with this partial victory, the women continued their legal battle.
In July 1992, the New York State Court of Appeals dismissed the charges against them, stating that the inclusion of women’s breasts under “private or intimate parts of her body” created a clear, gender-based classification that was discriminatory. This landmark decision greatly expanded the women’s right to go topless, setting a precedent that allowed women in New York State to be topless in public under the same conditions as men. The ruling emphasized the importance of equal treatment under the law and underscored the need to challenge and rectify discriminatory statutes.
The significance of the Rochester Topfree Seven’s victory cannot be overstated. Their case brought national attention to the issue of gender equality and body autonomy, inspiring similar movements and legal challenges across the country and around the world. The decision highlighted the discriminatory nature of laws that treated men and women differently and underscored the importance of challenging such laws through legal channels. The story of the Rochester Topfree Seven continues to inspire activists and advocates who strive for equal treatment under the law and the freedom to express themselves without fear of discrimination.
Introducing a brand-new episode of Naked Age
This year marks the 38th anniversary of the arrest of the Rochester Topfree Seven, a reminder of the progress made in the fight for gender equality and the ongoing work required to achieve true equality.
In commemoration of this anniversary, Naked Age will release an episode titled “Morley the Magnificent” on June 21st. This episode will focus on Morley Schloss, the then-husband of Mary Lou Schloss, who played a crucial role in their legal battle. Morley, a prominent member of the naturist community for over fifty-five years, founded Naturist Rochester and has been deeply engaged in topfree and free beach activism in his naturist career. He is also the owner of Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort in Loxahatchee, Florida. Morley wrote the legal briefs that were instrumental in the Topfree Seven’s defense, showcasing his dedication to civil liberties and gender equality. His efforts were pivotal in securing the victory in the appeals court.
Listeners can tune in to the Naked Age podcast tomorrow, June 21st, to learn more about Morley Schloss’s significant contributions to the topfree rights movement and his enduring legacy in the fight for gender equality and body freedom. The episode will provide an in-depth look at his life and the impact of his work, celebrating the progress made and reflecting on the ongoing struggle for equality and body freedom. 🪐
With this Battelle won, why don't more women choose to utilize this freedom? Is it not known and more should be done to make it so?