North Carolina Bill Would Outlaw Public Display of Bare Breasts

Lawmakers want to clarify an 'indecent exposure' prohibition already on the books

A proposed North Carolina law would make it a felony to expose one's private parts for the purpose of titillation, reports Raw Story.

Taking aim at breasts in particular, House Bill 34 would outlaw the public display of commonly hidden parts of the anatomy with the purpose of "arousing sexual desire." The bill was motivated by a topless women's rights rally last summer that upset some of the more conservative members of the state legislature. And while "indecent exposure" is already against the law in North Carolina, the sponsors of the legislation want to make it absolutely, undeniably clear that this includes breasts (with an exception made for "incidental" exposure by breastfeeding mothers).

"This bill that I'm presenting in no way shape or form changes North Carolina law," said Republican state Rep. Rayne Brown, "but we do need clarification."

Proving that peering too closely into the lawmaking process can yield humorous results, a Democrat concerned about how the bill would affect those wearing "questionable fashions" was told that pasties, nipple coverings and duct tape are always available for purchase.

Via Raw Story and WRAL.

Should "indecent exposure" laws be more specific, to include body parts by name?

[thatgirl]

Bunch of repressed Republicans, err, I mean Puritans.

[Medicinebow]

I guess we won't be seeing any nude beaches anytime soon in Carolina.

[thatgirl]

@Medicinebow Yeah, guess not, lol

[Hireman]

Puritans are in Mass

[stepped_in_it]

@Hireman I heard that Puritans have now been allowed to move to another state. But, that just might be a vicious rumor!

[Hireman]

@stepped_in_it they can go wherever, but their culture won't leave MA

[Medicinebow]

Wow...really? Is it that big of a problem there?

[thatgirl]

Repression is rampant in the south.

[harold_lloyd]

It's not a problem, this is just a case of the party of freedom and liberty making it clear that freedom and liberty is reserved for those who think like they do.

It'll be interesting to see this collide with the first Amendment..

[_Jenny_]

The bill says it would be illegal to show “the nipple, or any portion of the areola, of the human female breast,” with an exception made for breastfeeding. The rest of the breast would be legal. Maybe I missed something in biology class but doesn't guys also have nipples?

[Medicinebow]

Having lived near there I know what you mean. Some people really have hangups. A felony for this?? Simply uncalled for.

[_Jenny_]

What's really crazy is in North Carolina theft under $1000 dollars is only a misdemeanor. But if a woman shows her nipples it's a felony.

[OhWiseOne]

I voted no but if any of you ever saw my uncle w/o his shirt on you might think differently.

[65stang]

They don't mean men's they mean women only

[mxdirtdude]

I agree. They wanna just grab them bobbies and they know it.. arhhh the life of a rethuglican.

[mimi57]

I sure hope the 'bobbies' look better than the rest of them!

[stepped_in_it]

@mimi57 In a dark room or to the "sight impaired", "bobbies" are "bobbies". Also heard England is upset with the US banning the viewing of "bobbies"....LOL

[mimi57]

@stepped_in_it LOL..well, we sure don't lack 'impaired' around here!...

[thatgirl]

@mimi57 Its so refreshing to see self-deprecation.

[mimi57]

@thatgirl I know...you weren't in the crowd , were you?

[Food4thoughts]

A felony? Really?

[LazerFlash]

And, after being convicted of feloniously showing one's breasts or ass or whatever in public, you would then have to register as a sex offender - in some states for the rest of your natural life. Sounds like fun to me.

[PoliticalSpice]

A felony at very least. You have a right to bare arms. Not bare breast.

[Food4thoughts]

@PoliticalSpice
Seems like overkill to me :-/

[Rocker]

@PoliticalSpice - I volunteer to frisk 'em prior to their parade permit is granted.

[Jinks]

I'm wondering what the heck a "questionable fashion" is.

[stepped_in_it]

HMMM.....just wondering if NC is including men's breasts?'Cause, ya know, there are some men out there who should wear a "man-zere".

[mimi57]

Those are some real cuties, don't ya just love the back fat?...LOL

[stepped_in_it]

@mimi57 Ya know, there are some people who should have breast feed a little longer. I heard that that "facing" your fears helps you get over them!

[thatgirl]

@stepped_in_it You know how it is, some people have to lord it over others over stupid stuff.

[Calfkiller]

@mimi57 LOL, my thoughts exactly! took me a split second to realize which sid I was looking at.

[Calfkiller]

Amen. regardless of the function of the breast's, some things were just meant to be kept from the public eye.

[Hireman]

I'm fine with public nudity, as long as the nudists carry complimentary barf bags

[Denizen_Kate]

A felony? Seriously?

[PoliticalSpice]

This the same crowd that complains about gun control as govt invasion into the rights of citizens?

[Rocker]

Do they like, you know, print your mammaries or your fingers. If it's printing your 'twins', I think I'd like that job. And I'll help with the clean up too. :-O

[Denizen_Kate]

@Rocker - Down, boy. Leave "the girls" alone!:-)

[PoliticalSpice]

Don't ever say republicans get things done. On the important issues of the day: the teaching of creationism, the display of bare breast in public, which party is it that is willing to take on the critical issues facing our nation and do the hard work necessary. Only republican legislatures are capable of taking thes things on. Vote republican. Take us back far enough in time to defeat al quada by taking us back to the age when muhammid was born...

[Denizen_Kate]

@PoliticalSpice - Industrious littles devils, aren't they?

[NormalFlora]

Funny... In the picture, I sure don't see any of those "good ole boys" looking the other way LOL. These hypocrites go to church on Sunday morning and stay up late Sunday night surfing the web for porn. Then they get all short of breath and panic when they see boobs "in person." Please, NC, you're acting like a troop of Boy Scouts who stumble upon a campsite full of nudists. "Uh, golly gee, that makes me SOOOOO embarrassed!!! We gotta pass a law!!!!"

[PNWest]

If you think that embarrasses them wait till they find out who Gomer Pyle married last month. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/l... Well GOOOLLLLLEEEEE!

[Medicinebow]

Reminds me of a time my wife and I were hiking in Shenandoah park and stopped for a minute.We were about 100 yds behind some boy scouts. Along came 2 ladies that were sweating pretty hard and had taken their tops off. I smiled as they walked by with them telling me "sure is hot today". I told them it sure was. At the pace they were moving they were bound to catch the boy scouts.

But really...nudity a felony?

[keyfitter]

This whole issue is ridiculous. If a bunch of fat cows like the ones in the photo want to show off their teats, who cares?.

[stepped_in_it]

House Bill 34 would outlaw the public display of commonly hidden parts of the anatomy with the purpose of "arousing sexual desire." Some people have a foot fetish ("arousing sexual desire"). And I wear shoes "most" of the time (commonly hidden). HMMM....are exposed feet a felony in NC? The beach will never be the same!

[mtkopf]

So if a really large woman with a hairy mole and three teeth was topless with her boobs hanging down to her knees,(picture a topless kathy bates) it would be legal bc she definitely would NOT be "arousing sexual desire".

[SorryNoSale]

@mtkopf
That, my friend, is a scary picture! But that is why the law should be specific( not a felony though). Some gals have very warped perceptions of themselves, and would interpret males wretching up their lunch as a sign of attraction.

[Thegrif]

Yes, they should be named specificly, because, and this is just my thinking (not fact), as a matter of law if you leave it up to individuals to determine what is indecent and what is not, undoubtedly some idiot will go jogging past a school yard with his bing-bong hanging out, or some woman will decide to go shopping with her ta-ta's hanging out.

[PNWest]

The biggest BOOBS in North Carolina appear to be republicans Tim Moore, Rayne Brown and Sarah Steven. They should be banned by the electorate there.

[marine1]

as a fiscal conservative, i would say that some of my fellow conservatives need a good wedgie. Leave people alone and tend to the important business at hand like putting this country back to work and paying OFF or debt.

[justapirate]

That made my night.

[mimi57]

Sometimes, it's better to take a break from all the harsh reality and discuss' bobbie's'.
If nothing else, we can laugh at how silly they look...Face it, not all women should be
parading around topless with flabby backs and saggy bobbies. Please! LOL

[marine1]

@mimi57 I have nothing against bobbies but you are right, there are some bobbies out there that eye drops just won't help. When the belly button will grow corn and the cleavage looks like a gully wash out who wants to pick the crop.

[thatgirl]

@mimi57 you seem to be fixated over other peoples body parts. Would you rather that everyone had plastic surgery so they met with your idea of perfection? Is your body so perfect you can cast aspersions at others?

[mtkopf]

@mimi57 you know Mimi, I'm going to "man up" and admit that you are absolutely correct on this.
BTW, can we pass a law that makes it a felony for Jennifer Aniston to NOT be topless.

[Canoochee]

I lived in NC for a little over a year. I didn't see a whole lot of breasts there I would like to see bare. This means new life for the 'cafe erotique'

[NTBFW]

Ban those killer nipples.

[Rocker]

Dam right!! Poke yer eye out!!!

[tomincali]

all laws need to be direct and to the point giving no room for dispute.

[Medicinebow]

We need high capacity bras !