Last month, the nine members of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board voted unanimously to allow female toplessness in city parks by repealing Park Board ordinance PB2-21 which stated, “No person ten (10) years of age or older shall intentionally expose his or her own genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast below the top of the areola, with less than a fully opaque covering in or upon any park or parkway, as defined in PB1-1…”

Under Minnesota state statute and Minneapolis city ordinance indecent exposure is prohibited, but neither specifically mentions female toplessness. The November 18 vote means that female toplessness in Minneapolis city parks is now allowed under any and all circumstances.

Those in favor of the repeal claim that it is sexist for PB2-21 to specifically ban exposure of female breasts and that, since men are allowed to go topless in city parks, women ought to be allowed as well. But acknowledging that the anatomical differences between men and women create differing standards of what counts as indecent exposure is not sexist, it is simply a recognition of reality. Men and women are different, and repealing bans on female toplessness in the name of “equality” is part of an ongoing effort to erase or ignore those differences.

Furthermore, it is perfectly reasonable for families to want to be able to bring their children to a local park without their sons and daughters being exposed to partial nudity. Public parks should be spaces that are welcoming to families, but the Minneapolis Park Board is willing to give this up in order to advance an agenda.

Minneapolis residents, let the members of the Parks and Recreation Board know what you think! Families should be able to go to a park without their children being exposed to partial nudity!

Commissioner Bourn
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 6
Email: bbourn@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Cowgill
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 4
Email: jcowgill@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Forney
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 8
Email: mforney@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner French
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 7
Email: lfrench@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Hassan
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 3
Email: ahassan@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Meyer
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 1
Email: cmeyer@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Musich
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 5
Email: smusich@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Severson
one: 612-230-6443, Extension 2
Email: kseverson@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Vetaw
Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 9
Email: lvetaw@minneapolisparks.org