Reaction to topless largely over the top
Throngs of protesters and photographers converge on a Franklin County college town as women bare breasts to promote rights.
By SCOTT MONROE Morning Sentinel
FARMINGTON - Under the afternoon sun Friday, they came pouring onto Main Street, a wave of people accompanied by a clown and a unicyclist, flags, signs, video cameras and bumper-to-bumper traffic -- with dozens of topless women and men leading the way.
University of Maine at Farmington student Andrea Simoneau shrugs as Elaine Graham shields Simoneau’s breasts during a topless protest Friday in Farmington. The demonstration called attention to a perceived double-standard that makes it acceptable for men, but not women, to be topless in public.
Robert F. Bukaty/The Associated Press
Topless women attract the attention of bystanders Friday in Farmington. In Maine, it's legal for women to go topless in public.
Robert F. Bukaty/The Associated Press
Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks and streets of this college town while clusters of protesters held signs in opposition to the march.
In the crowd was 104-year-old Marion Wing of Phillips, who looked on in amazement. "I've never seen anything in my entire life like this, and I hope never to again," Wing said.
Directing the bare-skinned walkers was Andrea Simoneau, 22, of Brooks, a senior at the University of Maine at Farmington who organized "Farmington's First Female Bodied Topless March," modeled after a march she attended in April in Portland.
UMF officials said the university had no involvement in the march, which ended at a park on campus.
Resident Elaine Graham took the most active protest role, following topless women along the route and holding up a blue blanket to cover them.
Before the march, Graham confronted Simoneau.
"I want to send a message that public nudity degrades girls," said Graham, who arrived at 11 a.m. to begin her public protest.
"You're degrading yourself," Graham told Simoneau. "You're sending the wrong message."
Simoneau thanked Graham "for coming out to express your opinion" and said she admires that form of free speech as well.
Before the half-mile march started about 1 p.m. in Meetinghouse Park, Simoneau stood up bare-chested in a gazebo and rallied those assembled to march in the name of women's rights.
Simoneau told the crowd that the march highlighted the fact that it's legal in Maine for women to go topless in public, and that she wants it to become socially acceptable, just as men are able to take off their shirts.
Simoneau said she had chosen to ignore criticism of the march and "focus on empowerment" instead.
"Please be respectful and do not engage protesters," Simoneau yelled before the march proceeded.
Several Farmington police officers directed traffic and kept watch. Police said they received no reports of problems or accidents related to the march.
"It was very quiet and peaceful," said Bonnie Pomeroy, dispatch secretary for Farmington police.
Actually, it wasn't all that quiet.
"It's almost like a circus," said Dalene Pulk of Carthage as she held up a protest sign -- "Pornography doesn't belong on the streets" -- beside fellow protesters on Main Street.
A topless man rode a unicycle among the marchers on the sidewalk, and Russ Mathers of Carthage walked around with his face painted like the Joker.
"This doesn't promote women's cause -- it's just for fun. What does this prove?" Mathers said. "So I came out to be sillier. I'm out here for fun and to make fun."
But the message of the march was serious for the people participating.
John Rosenwald, 66, of Farmington approached one topless woman and asked how he could best support them: joining in or watching silently. He didn't want to impose on the women's cause.
"She said joining would be great, so that's what I'm going to do," Rosenwald said. "I'm going to take my shirt off."
Wearing a pink feather boa around her neck, topless marcher Angela Sweenhart, 39, of Farmington said it was a "great cause," even though she was "a little worried" before the march began.
As Sweenhart spoke, a large gray-bearded man wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket shuffled over, pointed a digital camera at her, clicked the button and turned away. Did that bother her?
"I'm comfortable with that, because I have nothing to be ashamed of," she said.
Joni Marks, 31, a sophomore at the University of Maine at Augusta, said she decided to join the march because of the "double standard that men can be topless," while even women who bare their breasts in public to nurse babies can be chided.
Marks said she was bothered by "50 cameras snapping all at once" when she took her shirt off.
"It's like a peep show," she said. "I'm a little overwhelmed with everyone here."
Donald Pinkham, 64, of New Sharon asked for permission to have his photo taken with Simoneau and said he used to be a member of a nudist colony in Albion.
"To do this really takes a lot of courage," he said.
Erin Simoneau, 19, of Searsport, Andrea Simoneau's younger sister, said it was her first time being topless in public and she was a little nervous with the hectic scene. But it was worth it to further equality rights with her sister, she said.
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61 COMMENTS
jake007 said...
Having woke a little earlier then usual and scanning the headlines,for a split second I thought it read "Thongs of protesters and photographers converge on...".Phew..glad that wasn't the case. So having cleared that up I guess my reaction to the story is to wait until I hear what Dennis Baily has to say about this. It has to be be connected to casinos and the evil they will bring somehow.
May 1, 2010 at 5:25 AM Report abuse
antiwhine said...
Why give this stupidity any space in the news?! How important is this, in the scope of what's going on in Maine, the USA and the world? There is homelessness, hunger and strife everywhere. How shallow to "march" for such a frivolous "right" when something like the oil spill in the Gulf is happening! Get a life, girls!! Your "priorities" are showing. Yuck!
May 1, 2010 at 5:46 AM Report abuse
crackhead said...
Moo's that girl?
May 1, 2010 at 6:04 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
OMG!!! Was this a Comedy Channel skit? Note the two old ladies on the sidewalk. Their expressions are priceless.
May 1, 2010 at 6:04 AM Report abuse
c2hpcG1hdGU%3D said...
Ah, young and naive college girls, not really understanding the world quite yet. Fast forward to when they are mothers to daughters and sons, sitting around topless at the Fourth of July family picnic or company party... that'll go over well.
May 1, 2010 at 6:16 AM Report abuse
Felix said...
NICE BOOST FOR FARMINGTON TOURISM, EH?------------BUT THE LADIES SHOULDN'T GET SO PEED OFF WHEN FOLKS STARE AND START TO LAUGH!!!!!!!!!
May 1, 2010 at 6:28 AM Report abuse
taxationland said...
Attention seeking MORONS! Get a life. Exactly what "rights" are you missing out on? Try living in Iran and then tell us about your rights there. MORONS!
May 1, 2010 at 6:50 AM Report abuse
punk51 said...
rather see boobies flapping down the street than some of the obese clothed people waddling around wal mart and hanafords...now thats offensive lol
May 1, 2010 at 7:25 AM Report abuse
justducky said...
And to think Portland gave up it's chance to have HOOTERS !
May 1, 2010 at 7:36 AM Report abuse
AXeL said...
Don't these women understand the GRAVITY of the situation? Two DOWN-POINTED efforts, in Portland and in Farmington, serve only to portray Mainers as slow-witted, cow-teated morons.
May 1, 2010 at 7:49 AM Report abuse
LarrySellers said...
Gravity ALWAYS wins!
May 1, 2010 at 7:54 AM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
It's legal in Maine but no pictures hypocrites. No TV hypocrites.
May 1, 2010 at 8:04 AM Report abuse
Godless said...
[sarcasm] Based on the story, this rally was clearly about gay dudes wanting to get married. Michael Heath was right all along. [/sarcasm]
May 1, 2010 at 8:40 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Cheerleading will never be the same!
May 1, 2010 at 8:57 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
After viewing some of the photos, I think we owe Huge Hefner a big debt for his 'editing' out of a lot things best left covered up: http://www.tera.ca/Images/mccabe.jpg http://www.tera.ca/Images/golub2.jpg **this is a Canadian site devoted to the world wide topless movement...it ain't pretty folks!
May 1, 2010 at 9:22 AM Report abuse
BSmart said...
Here's an idea. Maybe some of these students could take some time and actually STUDY. You know, do some actual SCHOOL Work. Oh, wait... actual work, common sense or critical thinking is no longer required in our Universities. As long as you tow the liberal line, you graduate!
May 1, 2010 at 9:40 AM Report abuse
hoffenpot said...
Live and let live. I get a kick out of Elaine Graham. She was wondering where all the planned counter protesters were. Gee, Ms. Graham, maybe they have something called a life?
May 1, 2010 at 9:54 AM Report abuse
bWFya2RlZWdhbg%3D%3D said...
Fortunately or unfortunately men will always be men and are excited irrationally at the sight of a naked woman. This provides through history, for the propagation of the species. You cannot teach men to turn off their nature, nor should you test their nature more than it already is. yOu cannot train them to be anything but. Some women seem to believe in a fantasy world based upon how they FEEL life should be. Not how it is...
May 1, 2010 at 11:19 AM Report abuse
bWFya2RlZWdhbg%3D%3D said...
Fortunately or unfortunately men will always be men and are excited irrationally at the sight of a naked woman. This provides through history, for the propagation of the species. You cannot teach men to turn off their nature, nor should you test their nature more than it already is. yOu cannot train them to be anything but. Some women seem to believe in a fantasy world based upon how they FEEL life should be. Not how it is...
May 1, 2010 at 11:25 AM Report abuse
ElCapitan said...
American women bring it on themselves. Having traveled extensively throughout the world it is very apparent that the USA is the single most prudish country in the world. I just returned from the Caribbean where it was obvious which women were American - they were the ones hiding their breasts. This is totally understandable due to the fact that for generations, American mothers have taught their daughters that their breasts are something they should hide from view as if they were ashamed of them. Hundreds were topless on the beaches in the Caribbean and all were European. The Europen men don't look twice at the topless women, in fact I saw countless 14 thru 18 year old European boys who paid no attention to bared breasts. Keep it up ladies, American men will also become de-sensitized to seeing bare breats just as European males have.
May 1, 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse
null said...
Instead of parades, they should coordinate and have topless at the beach day or weekend, where anyone can be topless if they choose. That way more people would be able to participate.
May 1, 2010 at 2:31 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
The liberal whine forgets that there are growing pockets in the fabric of American social life that endorse women to cover up even more. Fundamental JUDISM...just try and march topless in Crown Heights Brooklyn on a Friday night and you'll get stoned or worse. Emerging Arab neighborhoods would react the same way; in Saudi Arabia these women would be flogged or worse. Perhaps it's time for Maine to show respect for the emerging diversity now thriving in many areas of the U.S. With a sexist response many of these women wouldn't get a response from either sex; taking their tops off is the most attention they've gotten intheir lives.
May 1, 2010 at 3:40 PM Report abuse
Aldon said...
Holy Cow! one on each side. Increasing dark followed by light toward morning. What crack reporters.
May 1, 2010 at 4:58 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
There are plenty of people who shouldn't go around topless, including many men in Maine who have some similar attributes to Sumo wrestlers (none of the talent, all of the blubber). These attention seeking exhibitionists got what they wanted, and the most mindless of our citizenry obliged, including the dismal PPH who seem to think these childish stunts merit coverage. OK ladies, we get it. Your lives are pathetic and without meaning. You are flailing around, trying any stunt to delude yourself that you matter. Let's just pretend that you do, and leave it at that.
May 1, 2010 at 5:40 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
Consistent with his other impressions of life, BSmart is out to lunch on the current state of universities. They are not bastions of what he calls "liberalism". If indeed the majority of students at our universities were concerned with justice, they would hardly have kept silent as they did when the last President lied to use our military as mercenaries for his oil buddies. No, BSmart, most students at universities today are just like you. Money-grubbing dolts with no ideals beyond wanting an SUV, to get drunk frequently, and to find a dishonest way to make a living. Conservative as they come.
May 1, 2010 at 5:44 PM Report abuse
U3RldmUw said...
Were any of them also open-carrying firearms?
May 1, 2010 at 7:50 PM Report abuse
David said...
Yet again, more evidence that human beings adopted the use of clothing to conceal just how unattractive most of our bodies really are. What's ironic is that men and women already have equality in every respect under Maine law, including the right to expose their out of shape breasts, spare tires, and saddlebags.
May 1, 2010 at 9:14 PM Report abuse
David said...
Yet again, more evidence that human beings adopted the use of clothing to conceal just how unattractive most of our bodies really are. What's ironic is that men and women already have equality in every respect under Maine law, including the right to expose their out of shape breasts, spare tires, and saddlebags.
May 1, 2010 at 9:14 PM Report abuse
Ebb said...
gonna walk down Congress Street hangin brain
May 1, 2010 at 9:40 PM Report abuse
WUhTU3R1ZGVudA%3D%3D said...
Another question I would like to bring into conversation: Are men neurologically programed to be attracted to breasts, or are breasts sexualized by society? If it is the prior, then this standard is not depressing women's rights; it is protecting them. Women walking down the street topless with men getting aroused at the sight and taking pictures.... YES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN NOT BEING LOOKED AT MERELY AS SEX OBJECTS! way to go protestors!
May 1, 2010 at 10:46 PM Report abuse
trisailer said...
I think that the most interesting thing about this story is men's reactions to the march and the story. The men's reaction is an embarrasment. Haven't these guys ever seen breasts? If the purpose was to desexualize womens breasts than this just shows how far we have to go to get there. What is astounding is the lengths that men will go to retain their obsession with womens breasts. I've been to several fantasy fests in key west and I stopped going because it was too embarrasing to be in that throng of men with cameras. It's the guys who need to get a life.
May 2, 2010 at 9:07 AM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"It's the guys who need to get a life." That's exactly right: It's a cultural issue, so people have a great deal wrapped up in it. The trick is to let off the steam - and that's what these people are trying to do. The way I see it is that we need to go through this step/stage on the way to allowing women not only to be able to legally breast feed in public, but be able to do it comfortably.
May 2, 2010 at 9:45 AM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"Perhaps it's time for Maine to show respect for the emerging diversity now thriving in many areas of the U.S." Precisely, but you do that by expanding freedoms - not limiting them. You do that by learning to respect diversity - not by clamping down on the freedoms of minorities (in this case, women). It's not surprising that some on the right wing are reaching out for examples of intolerance to back up their logic of continuing to chip away at minority freedoms.
May 2, 2010 at 9:52 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
You don't expand a person's freedom to annoy the hell out of people who have different belief systems; any more than you'd expand a biker's right to have the loudest bike in Maine or a kid's right to have the loudest reverb speakers or a high school kids 'right' to read child pornography in the high school library(Lewis Carroll, anyone?). Where exposed breasts----btw I know of some Lesbians who've mutually admired a co-workers rack, so it ain't just men oogling out there! offend a communities sensibilities they should be covered. Greedy Pornographers have long hidden their profits behind a banner of personal freedom; nice of you to help carry it...hey, how's that campaign for breaking down the barriers to family sex or child pornography going?
May 2, 2010 at 12:10 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
Common is exposing the right wing's preference for and proximity to religious fundamentalist law. It's not by chance that he is calling for laws acceptable to those who would use violence to enforce their own religious laws on others ("in Saudi Arabia these women would be flogged or worse.") I have lived in Brooklyn for years and so I don't buy his hyperbolic claim about how violent Jews and Arabs are to others who live in their Brooklyn neighborhoods. Still, the message is clear: Right wingers like Common Cents admire and respect that threat of violence against women who don't subscribe to such religious laws.
May 2, 2010 at 1:13 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"You don't expand a person's freedom to annoy the hell out of people who have different belief systems" And you destroy everyone's freedom when you let religious fundamentalists use threats of violence to pass laws curbing freedom.
May 2, 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Secular left wing wacko's like BUMBLESKIRT, love to front incursions through moral boundaries for freedom-loving profiteers of people like Al Goldstein(SCREW, etc.). The ultimate freedom is a political quilt that fully respects pluralistic democracy; instead of the totalitarian left and their beloved Stalinist dress & speech codes. If the people of Farmington want public nudity, let them vote for it; if the people of Hebron don't want it via referendum, so be it. ...p.s. I grew up in Queens so don't b.s me about the nature of Hassidic communities like Crown Heights...organize a topless march on their Sabbath and let us know how it goes....when you get out of the hospital.
May 2, 2010 at 1:46 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"If the people of Farmington want public nudity, let them vote for it;" Typical right wing stance: rights are things that can be awarded to people - as though there are no rights until the leadership grants them. I lived in Brooklyn for 10 years and had a Hassidic secretary, and yet, bizarrely, I have a very different idea about the violence potential of Jewish folks in New York City.
May 2, 2010 at 2:17 PM Report abuse
heresththing said...
For either gender, bare chest in public = poor taste.
May 2, 2010 at 5:49 PM Report abuse
David said...
A liberal who thinks rights exist outside of the Constitution? Wow. So where do they come from? A god? A fairy? Where, pray tell?
May 2, 2010 at 6:32 PM Report abuse
PML said...
boring...
May 2, 2010 at 6:50 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"A liberal who thinks rights exist outside of the Constitution? Wow. So where do they come from? A god? A fairy? Where, pray tell?" "We hold these truths to be self evident." Natural law is the stuff of liberals - that's why we speak up against injustice even when our laws codify it - like slavery and stuff like that. I totally agree with this: "For either gender, bare chest in public = poor taste." But the difference is that I don't think one's poor taste should be every man's law. I think it's poor taste to display guns in your home, but I would never, ever try to make that against the law.
May 2, 2010 at 7:48 PM Report abuse
Delly said...
Must have been a cheap thrill for all those old guys (picture) gawking at the topless beauties.
May 3, 2010 at 7:40 AM Report abuse
silky said...
this is a spring bring incident comparable to the great panty raids of the 60s/70s.bra-burnings, and so-called sexual liberation.lighten up!how would you like to be cooped up in classes for winter in farmington. great job girls.you will have great memories and a lot of laughs over this incident for as long as you live.as for those who decry-- they can stuff it.
May 3, 2010 at 10:00 AM Report abuse
ACHILLES said...
PPH censors hard at work. Wankers.
May 3, 2010 at 10:46 AM Report abuse
stinkyspot said...
Russian chicks are less gross... http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h937HNtz6ek/S2_Z7qeEo2I/AAAAAAAAXrA/gg0qmSDZCAk/s1600-h/Femen-polll-protest-14.jpg
May 3, 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse
stinkyspot said...
Yeah Delly, cheap thrills from cheap women. I wonder... do they make back fat bras?
May 3, 2010 at 12:00 PM Report abuse
mallen299 said...
Am I the only one who noted a distinct lack of photographers from the likes of Playboy, Penthouse, and the like? It could be a reflection of the displayed talent. These folks really need to keep their clothes on!
May 3, 2010 at 2:22 PM Report abuse
Oak said...
Good thing they're doing this in relatively nice weather. It would be a shame if they did this on a cold day and poked someone's eye out with a chilly nipple.
May 3, 2010 at 3:07 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
Those aren't just titillated gawkers: Many of them are intent on intimidating these women who are standing up for rights and freedom in the United States. They think they can scare women into thinking their photos will be posted on networking sites like facebook, linked-in and so on. It's not that different than the open carry demonstrators: Walking around with guns, confederate flags and "Obama is an evil socialist" signs is not about exercising your freedoms. It's about nasty, violent intimidation.
May 3, 2010 at 3:53 PM Report abuse
Delly said...
Oak... too funny!!
May 3, 2010 at 5:35 PM Report abuse
Oak said...
grumblestilt - Actually these women have something in common with the open carry demonstrators in that the both are exercising a negative right, the existence of which is owed not to a law, but to the absence of a law. It's not about intimidation, it's about freedom. The freedom to carry a weapon and otherwise mind one's business, and the freedom be topless and otherwise mind one's business. As much as I make fun of these women, in principle I support Frumpy, Dumpy and Lumpy's right to walk down the street without a shirt. As I support the right of the adolescent men to gawk, and your right to protest the right to keep and bear arms without government approval.
May 3, 2010 at 6:29 PM Report abuse
Avflyer said...
If it's legal for women to walk around topless in Maine. Then what exactly are they protesting?
May 3, 2010 at 8:24 PM Report abuse
Davedubya said...
Is this a special needs collage the person pictured doesn't appear to be all there. Hopefully the next rally wont be at Micky Dee's U Oink
May 3, 2010 at 10:45 PM Report abuse
Adam180 said...
I don't care if it was topless men or woman! I don't want to see pasty white, pail, out of shape people with love handles and pot bellies, without shirts on walking around on any day! All this story did was fuel the argument that Maine doesn't have the best looking woman!
May 4, 2010 at 1:21 AM Report abuse
sayyes269 said...
It isn’t only about rights they do not have; it is the ability to express themselves. The same ability I have when I “tear their application” for employment at my business. All that college money spent on stupidity. Proper time and place should always prevail. Many European countries allow females to remain topless on beaches, and hotel pools. It really isn’t a big deal. Here, we take pictures, and put them in a newspaper. DA!
May 4, 2010 at 5:44 AM Report abuse
FNMYRICK said...
Girls...girls...girls..... The double standard does not apply because you are WOMEN; but because you are UGLY WOMEN. Guarantee if the Red Claws cheerleaders wanted to walk around town topless NO ONE would apply a double standard.
May 4, 2010 at 8:16 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
"Much ado about nothing"--Still beats watching the open carry yokels (guns) strutting about with their penis extensions....
May 4, 2010 at 11:26 AM Report abuse
bfrank said...
Y - A - W - N JUST YET ANOTHER DISPLAY OF THE "IT'S ALL ABOUT ME" GENERATION...... and quite honestly, a woman is much more attractive when she leaves things to the imagination. oh but it's all about "equal rights" yeeesh. so us all a favor, keep your shirts ON
May 4, 2010 at 11:58 AM Report abuse
QmlkZHku said...
MSH - don't you wish you had a penis? You are still obsessed with others. You're just an unemployed former teacher acid junkie. Who cares what you say.
May 4, 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse
c2FyYWJhYmU%3D said...
Get a whole nude attitude! Nude is normal Like your body? Show it! Who says there's anything wrong with skin? Skinful isn't sinful Turn life skin-side out - go naked It's time to turn your life skin-side out (Naturistmingle)
May 4, 2010 at 10:12 PM Report abuse