Go Topless Day! Women Around The World Take Off Their Shirts To Promote Equal Rights (PHOTOS – NUDITY)

The images in this story contain nudity. Viewer discretion is advised.

Sunday was the seventh annual International Go Topless Day which is normally celebrated every August 24  and women around the world marched topless in support of women's rights.

The movement: states as its mission 'As long as men are allowed to be topless in public, women should have the same constitutional right. Or else, men should have to wear something to hide their chests.'

In one of 60 events planned around the world women gathered in Manhattan with placards and banners - and without their tops.

Members believe that humans were created by advanced extraterrestrial scientists known as the “Elohim,” and that not allowing women to go topless is an insult to the aliens’ artistry.

Go Topless spokeswoman Rachel Jessee said the principle of the protest is to promote “equal rights and respect for each other.”

“The idea that women should cover up is shameful,” she told The Huffington Post. “We should not feel ashamed. We want to instill self love and a love for each other.”


Jessee has participated in two other topless protests and said the reaction from spectators varies.

“Lots of people are supportive,” she said. “Some people who are against it don’t stay around too long — except for the people with signs that say, ‘You’re going to hell.’”

'New York is the ideal location for the world's first GoTopless Pride Parade,' said Rachel Jessee, 

'Since 1992, it's been one of the few cities in the United States or the world where women's topless rights are already recognized by law.'

The parade began at 2pm at Columbus Circle, then continued through Times Square to Bryant Park.

Participants were invited to end the day at a new breast-themed bar in Brooklyn, called Boobie Trap.

The organization's goal is to de-sexualize and demystify women's chests.

'We hope that by participating in annual topless festivities, New York City women and women around the world will feel increasingly comfortable to go topless in public,' Jessee said.

Patriots: GoTopless.org is a U.S. based organization that believes women should be able to go topless in public if men can

Mission statement of GoTopless.org: 'When a woman's uncovered chest in public becomes the simple non-event it already is for a man, we will have accomplished our mission.'

Supportive: Men got in on the act in New York, marching for women's rights to bare their chests

'When a woman's uncovered chest in public becomes the simple non-event it already is for a man, we will have accomplished our mission.'

Going topless may be legal in New York City - but showing a bare nipple on Instagram will result in a warning from Instagram and deletion of the image.

This is true regardless of the context - breastfeeding pictures will also be deleted.

Of course, male nipples are entirely unproblematic.

The daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, has taken up the cause, tweeting frequently about it with the hashtag #freethenipple.

She even staged her own topless event, running errands around New York City sans top.

See more uncensored photos below