Showing uncommon tenacity, the temperature hit a summery 82 degrees over the weekend. So we chased the mercury up and out onto the sun-dappled terrain of Sheep Meadow — the very spot where we first welcomed the advent of spring not so very long ago. It was a lovely chance to gather in one of New York’s most crowded and yet most serene spots, where as one of our number commented, “No matter how strange you are, you’re never the strangest person in sight.” We certainly weren’t — that honor goes to the couple performing acrobatic maneuvers, perched on one another’s knees, arms and shoulders, or possibly to the several people standing on their heads. (Their own heads, not the couple’s.) Hell, we weren’t even the only women enjoying the sun topless, which was a true pleasure to see. Four summers ago, when we first formed our group, we would have been.
As for us, we can very happily report that no one interfered with our exercise of our freedoms, or said anything to us, or even bothered us non-verbally unless you count one verging-on-elderly man who knelt a couple of feet away, staring, until we told him that this was rude, at which point he picked up and knelt next to another topless woman elsewhere on the lawn. (We sent an emissary to point out to him that this was not an improvement. He finally left her alone too.)
One of our newest members, possessed of an artistic bent, brought body paints and, using another member’s torso as her canvas, improvised in color and line.
All in all, a terrific, chill, laid-back moment in the sun. At one point, someone spotted a plane in the sky, leaving behind it a trail of skywriting:
“GOD…BLESS…AMERICA…,” we read, as the message emerged letter by letter. Unironically written, we assume, and taken in the same spirit. Pick your god, or cherish your lack of same — it’s as fine a way as any of expressing thanks for living in a time and place where we can all bare our bodies equally and face no scrutiny or disapprobation for this innocent act.
And with that we bid the summer of 2014 farewell. We’ll have events in the fall and winter as well — but there’s nothing quite like summer.
We leave you with one more pic, sent in by a friend who couldn’t make it to Central Park but joined with us in solidarity from her Brooklyn backyard.
If you want to join us sometime — either in person or in sprit, via selfie — just drop us a note at toplesspulpfiction@gmail.com. We welcome all women bold and body-positive and wise to the fact that a nipple is a nipple is a nipple. (Gertrude Stein said that, didn’t she?)
Just grab your favorite book and set your breasts free.
Did you chat with the other women who were not of your group? I’d think that would be an interesting conversation for all of you.
Perhaps there will be yet one more warm day in October? At any rate, enjoy your selves!
I was recently reading about the completion of The High Line. Would that be a suitable place for one of your gatherings?
It would indeed, weather permitting.
Thanks! From what I’ve read and seen, it seemed like a great place to be as a group!
So there was a topless woman unrelated to your group?
Your movement is getting traction.
Given the puny Summer we in the East have had, it’s nice that the weather is holding into Fall.
Eek, Structuralism!
Liberty is lovely.
And to all things an ending.
And your remote member reminds me of the girl in the 3rd vignette of HEAVY METAL. For reals! Honest to Goddess!
Luv u ladies
Love that last picture. Such a fantastic facial expression.
Sending the group some warm California sun to extend the summer!
I was initially attracted to your site for three reasons equally: the lovely ladies, the expression of your rights without being douchey or militaristic and the book selections. Can you add just a note or pic of what you are reading?
We do list the books we are reading in some of our blog posts; not all, though, largely because we figure it would be annoying to list the same books over and over, and sometimes it takes us multiple events to get through a single book. (One of us recently finished Stephen King’s UNDER THE DOME after three years. Another finally finished David Foster Wallace’s INFINITE JEST. Took a while.)
We can try to remember to include this info more often, though.
Looks like the weather is a bit easier on you on your side of these little straights.
Are you planning on doing any urban exploring during winter?
P.S. Keep the Bra. Burn the Selfhelp-book.
Not sure about urban exploring in the winter, but we do have some ideas for possible get-togethers.
I’d recommend Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.
I support breasts as much as the next guy (does that make me a bra?) but how about showing the acrobats you’re talking about?
Alas, we didn’t take any photos of them.