HUNDREDS of women will take part in a topless march along the seafront this weekend as part of a campaign to "desexualise" the female body.
Supporters of Free the Nipple Brighton will gather on Hove Lawns at noon on Saturday to demonstrate against the “oppressive double standards” placed on women’s bodies.
The organisers of the event say they want to “empower” women to challenge societal norms and the accepted belief that men can bare their chests in public, but women cannot.
Free the Nipple say the event is a reminder that women should not be defined by how they “measure up to unrealistic beauty standards”.
A post on its website about the event says: “Say no to oppressive double standards, body shame and the dictatorship of the male gaze.
- READ MORE: Campaigners march to Free the Nipple in Brighton
- READ MORE: Campaigners march along Brighton seafront to 'free the nipple'
“Say no to sexist censorship and restrictions on the right to protest.
“All ages and genders are welcome. We are fiercely trans inclusive, anti-racist and disability accessible.”
The event last took place in 2019 after organisers were forced to postpone last year’s gathering because of coronavirus.
At the last protest, the semi-naked crowd walked by major landmarks in the city including Brighton Palace Pier and the i360 before settling on Hove Lawns for a picnic.
Speaking in 2019, Bee Nicholls, who has been organising the Brighton march for the last three years said: “We are all here for the same message, and that is we want to dismantle the dictatorship of the male gaze.
“At the moment some bodies are seen as pornographic, and others not what they ‘should look like’ and we want to confront these issues.
“It’s all about bashing away those stereotypes, labels and constrictions. This event is always really well attended and a great success.”
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