SO WHAT IS ALL THIS ABOUT?
Free The Nipple is a worldwide movement that began back in 2012 when a woman in NYC made a documentary of the same name all about gender equality and female empowerment. Since then, the message has resonated with thousands of women all around the globe and the campaign has grown from strength to strength.
FREE THE NIPPLE DRAWS ATTENTION TO ONE OF MANY GENDER-BASED DOUBLE STANDARDS IN OUR SOCIETY: A MAN CAN WALK FREELY WITH HIS NIPPLES EXPOSED. A WOMAN WOULD BE AT RISK OF RIDICULE, ARREST OR EVEN VIOLENCE IF SHE DID THE SAME.
THIS IS BECAUSE HER BODY IS SEEN AS INHERENTLY SEXUAL, WHEREAS A MAN HAS AGNENCY WITH HIS BODY TO CHOOSE WHEN TO BE SEXUAL OR WHEN TO BE NEUTRAL. FOR CIS-HET MEN SEXUALITY USUALLY DOES NOT COMPROMISE HIS SAFETY OR RESPECTABILITY.
Attitudes towards women’s bodies are very confusing.
Women are encouraged to cover up if they want to be respected. Yet if women aren’t deemed attractive enough they are invisible.
Women are asked to leave establishments for breastfeeding. Yet Page Three and lad mags showing breasts are seen as commonplace.
Women are the objects of desire in film, art, media and television. Yet if a woman is empowered to own her sexuality, she’s branded a slut.
IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE
These oppressive attitudes impact all of us – all genders and all identities – with the most vulnerable in our society suffering the most.
Free The Nipple seeks to remind us that our value is not defined by how well we measure up to the universalised beauty standard.
Our bodies are beautiful and functional and valid – no matter what shape, colour, ability, gender or age they are.
Free the Nipple 