File under did you know?

[Murph]

In Texas its NOT illegal for a woman to walk around topless? There is NO STATE law which prohibits a woman from being topless. There are, however, many, many City Ordnances which totally ban a woman from being topless in public however.

Had one of our new deputies ask me a question the other day:

Young Deputy (YD):"I had a call that there was a topless woman walking around in her back yard, can I go arrest her?"

Me: Why?

YD: Because she is breaking the law!

Me: What law?

YD: The LAW! You know the penal code (sounding as if I had gone senile, using his words slowly)

Me: What law?

YD: The one that says you cannot be naked in public (him getting angry)

Me: What law?

YD: (Very aggravated): Look, I am just giving you a call since you are the on call investigator, I thought you would help me out here, and know the law.

Me: Check Penal Code section 42, and 43, you CANNOT, I say again CANNOT arrest her for going topless.

YD: (stunned voice) What?

Me: No, In Texas, there is NO LAW that says a woman cannot take off her top and show her breasts. There are CITY ordnances that outlaw it, but no STATE law. I supposed you would arrest a woman who is breast feeding?

YD: Yes, if she shows her breasts in public!

Me: Enjoy your lawsuit, and Official Oppression Charges.

YD: (Stunned) What?!

ME: Where is your supervisor? Have him explain it to you, and call me back if you have any further questions.

He got the point. His supervisor was not as nice as I was.

[CaptainTom]

Nice story Murph.

I suppose it is this sort of scenario that makes lawyers salivate.
At least the young officer had the sense to call a superior to check it out first.

Personally, I don't understand why hard working law enforcement officers feel the need to keep people from 1- photographing buildings 2- photographing airplanes 3- photographing accident scenes 4- photographing sports events (I've been "hassled" in each of these situations).

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by Murph

In Texas its NOT illegal for a woman to walk around topless? There is NO STATE law which prohibits a woman from being topless. There are, however, many, many City Ordnances which totally ban a woman from being topless in public however.

Had one of our new deputies ask me a question the other day:

Young Deputy (YD):"I had a call that there was a topless woman walking around in her back yard, can I go arrest her?"

Me: Why?

YD: Because she is breaking the law!

Me: What law?

YD: The LAW! You know the penal code (sounding as if I had gone senile, using his words slowly)

Me: What law?

YD: The one that says you cannot be naked in public (him getting angry)

Me: What law?

YD: (Very aggravated): Look, I am just giving you a call since you are the on call investigator, I thought you would help me out here, and know the law.

Me: Check Penal Code section 42, and 43, you CANNOT, I say again CANNOT arrest her for going topless.

YD: (stunned voice) What?

Me: No, In Texas, there is NO LAW that says a woman cannot take off her top and show her breasts. There are CITY ordnances that outlaw it, but no STATE law. I supposed you would arrest a woman who is breast feeding?

YD: Yes, if she shows her breasts in public!

Me: Enjoy your lawsuit, and Official Oppression Charges.

YD: (Stunned) What?!

ME: Where is your supervisor? Have him explain it to you, and call me back if you have any further questions.

He got the point. His supervisor was not as nice as I was.

I live in a somewhat rural county, and I sure hope word of the fact that this is legal, spreads around.

It would sure make Sunday afternoon drives on the back county roads a lot more interesting!

[studiocygnet]

Back in the late 70's and early 80's here in "liberal" Austin, we used to have topless women joggers, and a women's group once held a topless parade down the drag in front of UT to show support for women being topless anywhere men could be. I worked right across the street from the university, it was a great place for people watching. Everyone seemed to know about the law (or lack thereof) then, but the knowledge seems to be lost to the ages now. Thanks for pointing out this fact again.

[CaptainTom]

Let's not get carried away here. There is probably some sort of LOCAL ordinance in many places that prohibit this activity. However, I have no intention of complaining about anyone who wants to go around without a shirt on, as long as they don't complain about me taking a photo of them if they are in a public place.

[Ropinamoment]

Well, wouldn't her back yard be private property, not public anyway? Not that I would walk around in my backyard topless, you'd think the call would be dropped just on the fact that it's not a public place in the first place.

[Tim-in-TX]

Originally Posted by studiocygnet

...we used to have topless women joggers...

OUCH! Wouldn't that be extremely uncomfortable? Well, for some anyway...

[bondarnes]

I have some interesting images of a San Francisco Bike Parade. Can't post them here, but if you are interested PM me your e-mail and I will forward them to you.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I have some interesting images of a San Francisco Bike Parade. Can't post them here, but if you are interested PM me your e-mail and I will forward them to you.

I believe Queen has a song or two about such activities:





Long live the memory of Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury to his closest friends).

[bondarnes]

I found the link: http://www.funpic.hu/en.gallery.php?id=26&s=dd&p=12

[CaptainTom]

I am now completely convinced that when buying a used bicycle it is a good idea to install a brand new seat.... that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[loana0320]

lmao lmao whoa definitely not buying used bikes anymore LOL

[studiocygnet]

Originally Posted by srwatters

I believe Queen has a song or two about such activities:

I've still got the poster from that album, never taped or thumbtacked up anywhere. Now that was probably quite a photoshoot to organize.