The New York Public Library is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Not just architecturally, though it certainly is that, but conceptually. A free space where any woman or man can come to partake of the accumulated record of human thought. For readers, for thinkers, it is a holy space, more so than any church.
Where better to celebrate our passion for reading, for freedom, and for equality?
Now you might ask, was the crowd that gathered interested in reading and freedom and equality? Was that the spark we saw in their eyes as they marveled at the view behind us?
We’re going to say yes. Fuck it. Call us Pangloss, but we choose to believe we live in the best of all possible worlds, where a crowd can be galvanized at a moment’s notice by a hunger for knowledge and an appreciation for a well-turned serif.
We also had a lovely time in Bryant Park right behind the library, but that’s the stuff of another post entirely. We’ll just leave you with a taste…
Pangloss – 🙂
Grandi, grandi, grandi! Il coraggio di vivere le proprie scelte fino in fondo, senza sottomettersi al pregiudizi e agli stereotipi sociali. Grandiiiii!
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Great, great, great! The courage to live own choices all the way down, without submit to social prejudices and stereotypes. G R E A T !
[…] At the Temple of Books. […]
fantastic, carry on ladies.
You girls are too much fun…too bad you don’t live in Virginia.
If we did, we’re probably be in jail. I don’t think what we do is legal there, is it…?
if that doesn’t get people to the library, I don’t know what will.
Long-time follower, first time commenter. You guys are fucking amazing. Way to bring it front and center. Keep up the excellent work.
Mmm, I’m tossing my Kindle in the garbage and heading for the Library! So sweet!
Don’t lose your Kindle yet. Some libraries allow you to check out books via Kindle. My sister does this.
Me? I still generally prefer a real book. No batteries required! OTOH, I’ve installed a Kindle app on my phone and have begun to play with it. I can see the appeal of a Kindle.
I SO look forward to the day when something like this doesn’t attract a crowd because it’s so common. You lovely ladies are getting us there,and doing it in style. Thanks ❤
Looks like y’all had a blast! I don’t know about Virginia, but, from what I’ve been able to dig up, you’d be legal in Georgia! Something to keep in mind if y’all ever want to take a road trip.
Every time I see the front steps of that library, I think of Ghostbusters! It’s high up on my bucket list! (So’s kicking back & reading with y’all, fyi!)
Brad,
I live in Georgia. I see where gotopless.org has Georgia “green lighted” as an okay-to-be-topless state, but I can tell you things are very conservative around here. I question their accuracy.
My bet is even in Atlanta, a group emulating OCTPFAS in Piedmont Park would be rounded up in a hurry. Things would be worse outside of Atlanta. As we like to say, for every mile you drive out of the metro area, you go at least a year backwards in thinking.
The closest I’ve seen anyone getting topless is at the annual DragonCon convention in downtown Atlanta every Labor Day weekend. In the evening you might spot the occasional female wearing body paint with gaffer’s tape (or duct tape) over nipples.
The convention itself forbids actual toplessness (in women at least). As their policy puts it: “13. Costumers: remember that no costume is NO costume, and there are public nudity laws in Georgia. Please wear appropriate (or at least enough) clothing in the common areas.”
OTOH, the DragonCon crowd is polite, and I’m not aware of any near-topless women being pestered, other than asking permission to take a picture. Picture-taking of people in costume is customary and expected.
I was interested by gotopless.org until I got to the part where the group’s founder flogs his book about the message for humanity he received from his UFO encounter(s) in 1973.
Hmm.
Wonder if things would be easier in Athens? Seems a much more laid-back atmosphere than many other places here. Where I live, it’s 50/50. During tourist season, it’d be tough, but the rest of the time, I think you could get by.
Ah yes! That hunger for knowledge.
We all appreciate a well-turned serif. A well-turned glyph, too! Great work; thank you.
I appreciate what you women (I guess some men) are doing for the movement. Thank you all so much. As it’s already been stated, someday this will be so common place that it won’t be such an event. Keep up the great work.
Hi joebondibeach,
No direct “reply” so I’m responding here.
Hmm. I didn’t see the UFO thing on gotopless.org – I just went with the state map. Even more reason to wonder about its veracity.
Brad,
With a little more digging, I’d say Georgia law is sufficiently vague that is could be easily interpreted either way.
Section 16-6-8 definition of Public Indecency, (a)(3) A lewd appearance in a state of partial or complete nudity;
But there’s no definition of “lewd” or “public”. I’ve seen “public” defined elsewhere as anything observable from a public space, which includes anything you can see through someone’s window into their home, while presumably not setting foot on their property.
I third Mike R and carlnudi – I like that you women are working toward a day when walking around topless isn’t cause for a crowd forming.
[…] a writer, I’ve followed the Topless Co-Ed Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society for some time. They are a group of women who relax, sunbathe, and read together in public in the […]
You girls rock! And that tattooed blonde has the sweetest smile ever. Do you ever read any William Gibson? Neuromancer is my favorite book ever.