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Women in US plan to go topless in push for equality

In this July 30, 2015 photo, Kia Sinclair, stands topless on Hampton Beach in Hampton, N.H. The New Hampshire movement, known as Free the Nipple, that sparked controversy when several legislators criticized its members is planning to return to the spotlight Aug. 28, 2016 when they celebrate GoTopless Day on some of the state's beaches. (Rich Beauchesne/Portmsouth Herald via AP) In this July 30, 2015 photo, Kia Sinclair, stands topless on Hampton Beach in Hampton, N.H. The New Hampshire movement, known as Free the Nipple, that sparked controversy when several legislators criticized its members is planning to return to the spotlight Aug. 28, 2016 when they celebrate GoTopless Day on some of the state's beaches. (Rich Beauchesne/Portmsouth Herald via AP)

By Associated Press August 28, 2016 1 min read

HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) – Women around the U.S. plan to go topless as they hit the beach or march in parades in celebration of GoTopless Day, focused on promoting gender equality and women’s rights to bare their breasts in public.

GoTopless Day is celebrated annually on the Sunday closest to Women’s Equality Day, marking the day American women earned the right to vote.

Events planned include gatherings at beaches from New Hampshire to California and parades in New York City and Los Angeles featuring giant balloons shaped as breasts. Other celebrations are planned in cities across the globe.

Activists in the movement argue women should be able to go topless in public, just as men can.

Cities and states have varying laws regarding whether it’s legal for women to go topless in public.