As longtime visitors to our site know, we’re not shy. We’ve taken, oh, about six thousand photographs of our events and posted scads them on this very site, which has in turn been viewed some 15,700,189 times by women and men all over the world. And we’ve been written about by many news outlets — probably hundreds, especially if you count that Greek newspaper that one time. But: until today we have never once appeared on video for any of them. You’ve never heard any of us speak.
That’s about to change, since we were kindly and sympathetically approached by a reporter for Salon.com, asking if she could be our first. And we do like first times, and trying new things, and breaking new boundaries. So once she convinced us that she understood what we were all about and that her approach would be consistent with the site’s tradition of fair coverage and female-positive views, we agreed to let her come out with us, first to Washington Square Park and then to a spot a little farther uptown, on the banks of the Hudson River.
Both afternoons were lovely, and so was her company. So much so that we’ve invited her back to be a member in good standing. We’ll see if she joins us sometime, sans videocamera (and sans vetements). But for now we’re excited to see how the piece she’s working on comes out. Who knows? It may even be up on their site by the time you read this. We’ll add a link once it is. (EDITED TO ADD: Here it is — http://goo.gl/Tz9ZHP.)
In the meantime, enjoy these behind-the-scenes shots, from our very own salon. (Of the literary variety, naturally. Not that there’s anything wrong with beauty salons, hair salons, etc. But we suspect that’s not the meaning that gave Salon.com its name. Who really knows, though? We’ll have to ask Janet about keratin treatments sometime.)
What a lovely day in the park. New York is an amazing cty.
Wonderful to see you ladies enjoying and making the most of your top-free freedom.
Hmmm. It would have been more in the spirit had your Salon writer gone sans vetements, no? But we always want what we can’t have.
Lovely as always, ladies, in all your shapes and sizes.
Our goal is for every woman to have the same freedom every man has, to be topless or topped (um, you know what we mean), as she or he prefers. Not every man in the park bares his chest, and no one pressures men to do so; similarly, no one should ever pressure a woman to go topless if she doesn’t feel like it. And no one should pressure her not to if she does. Our new friend will go topless with us when and if she feels like going topless. Simple as that.
This is exactly what I was going to say. Freedom to do something means also that you have the freedom to NOT do something. Keep up the good work
P.S. I still wish we used the expression Top Free not Top less. We all have tops.
“Top” in this case refers to an article of clothing. You’ve got your tops and your bottoms. Topless means you’re not wearing your top.
BEEEEEEEEEAUTIFUL. Lovely, lovely, lovely. She definitely showed the essence of your group. Thank you.
“Our new friend will go topless with us when and if she feels like going topless. Simple as that.”
Yeah, didn’t mean to imply pressure. Sorry if it came across that way.
More a matter of wanting more aesthetic pleasure.
Woo-hoo! What a wonderful thought, to be able to hear as well as see you lovely ladies. 🙂
The first time I read the above post I thought it said: [this site] has in turn been viewed some 15,700 times. 189 times by women. I thought “Wow, How crazily disproportionate! ” I also thought: “OK. 15,700 isn’t terrible numbers for a blog site.”
I thought about that ratio being whacky, and read it again. This time I saw you wrote: “been viewed some 15,700,189 times by women and men.” Also makes more sense because how would a tracker know if your site is being read by men or women? Those demographics aren’t readily available.
That’s a LOT of views. Congratulations. You have a lot to be proud of.
I happened to be in NYC and in WSP that very day! I saw you there (now that I see the pictures, it’s confirmed) and would have told you in person that I am happy someone is standing up for your cause in person had I not been in the company of some pretty conservative friends. They would not have had the same view. Regardless, keep up the good work.
Hi Andie,
I always get a kick when the term “conservative” gets tossed out to highlight an individual or a group that somehow doesn’t seem to go along with the rights or choices of others.
I’m a very conservative (fiscal and politically) person. But, it is that conservatism what allows me to see and respect the different points of view that exist in our wonderful country.
Now, if you’re referring to intolerant, self- absorbed, one sided, judgmental zealots…. that’s another story!
They are plenty of those in many different flavors.
I have a few, “liberal” female friends who believe, that what the women at the O.C.T.P.F.A.S. are doing is atrocious and that they are just pandering to the lust and desires of men; that they are setting the clock back in the whole women liberation movement.
I believe that each of us is a tiny universe unto ourselves, with both; beauty and ugliness. So, why not share our beauty instead.
I understand respect for others and timing. But, if these people are truly your friends, they should respect the freedom you have to express yourself. Freedom, that’s what the whole thing is all about!
Just saying
Cheers
Ed
Good point, and I’ll be certain to use the term “conservative” more carefully in the future. Indeed what I meant was that they aren’t as able to see and respect other different views. They are fiscally and politically conservative as well, but I see that one doesn’t necessarily mean it includes the other. Hope no offense was taken.
Andie, no worries!
I try not to go out of my way to get offended. 🙂
I always love the expression on people’s faces. My opinion is they better get used to it. I wish it was like this all over the country.
I enjoyed the comments and pictures the first time so much that I decided I would read the series again. I am glad to see that new people are joining the group. Wish I was closer so I could bring my girl friend. She thinks the group is fantastic and liberating.
very nice, I can see the sunblock in those photos late in the post.. also.. that poor girl in the 5th photo in that skirt you can see the marks from the underwire, well, good thing she is at the park topless.. keep at it.. and I for one would like to see the unpublished archive.. more PDAs, smaller or no bottoms, lotions and sunblock.. books of course 😉
Personal Digital Assistants? Or Public Displays of Affection?
Current thought: Why isn’t a vibrator considered a “personal digital assistant?” It’s personal and it assists your digits. Nevermind. Carryon.
Ladies should visit Fort Tilden in Queens before the summer is over. Clothing optional beach would be perfect for the beautiful ladies of your group.
Salon.com is a great source for well-thought out journalism that questions that status quo, and always supports such progressive tenants as feminism and personal rights. Didn’t know they do videos. Really looking forward to seeing their take!
We are too! And did you mean “tenets”?
Oh yeah, good catch. Tenets of journalism… You make excellent copyeditors as well as readers 🙂
the video is live: http://www.salon.com/2015/08/18/this_nsfw_book_club_is_taking_a_stand_for_gender_equality_by_reading_topless_in_public_spaces/
just watched and absolutley fantastic. have enjoyed your blogs over the years and seeing your thoughts and ideas in video just cement how this should be law everywhere. keep it up.
The Salon story was published today:
Here it is http://www.salon.com/2015/08/18/this_nsfw_book_club_is_taking_a_stand_for_gender_equality_by_reading_topless_in_public_spaces/
I guess I’ll have to wait to see it, until someone puts it on YouTube. Salon’s player keeps crashing Firefox and Chrome (both updated versions and cache free)
I hope its a good one!!
Try this http://media.salon.com/2015/08/Topless-Smaller-Format.mp4
Thank you Parrey
This version worked much better!
They come from the city,
They come from the country.
They come with no food, they come with no water,
and they ask, “Where’s the Circle K at?”
They come with booze, and they come with drugs
and they come with their puritan views.
They come from different countries, they come from
different states. They even come with their own gurus.
They come for the beauty, they come for the serenity.
They come with their axes, cutting down trees.
They come with their clothes, they come with
their religious views and they say, “Oh my God
you’re a bunch of nudes!” They come from near,
They come from afar and ask, ” When’s the next trash pick up?”
They come as rangers, they come as cops.
They give out tickets for no tops.
They come in their vans, they come in their cars.
They come with no shoes and say,
“Oh my, the hot springs are how far!?”
They come with their mates,
They come with their girlfriends,
and they leave with new friends.
Poem at Verde Hot Springs, AZ. Possibly the best clothing optional place in Arizona, but it’s 20 miles on a dirt road and a mile hike.
Maybe my recollection is foggy, but did OCTPFAS just have an anniversary of the founding? How many years?
[…] we’ve been written about by many news outlets — probably hundreds,” a blog post on the book club’s web site reads. “But: until today we have never once appeared on […]