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Sunday, June 11, 2017

Absent Formal Attorney General Opinion, New Topless Women Policy In Place On Ocean City Beach

OCEAN CITY — With still no formal opinion from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office on the legality of women going topless in the same area as men are allowed to go shirtless, the Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) this week issued a directive to turn a blind eye, so to speak, on the issue.

Last August, at the request of Maryland resident Chelsea Covington, Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby reached out to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office (MAGO) seeking an opinion on the legality of women going topless in the same areas where men are allowed to go shirtless under the Equal Protection Act. It’s an opinion that could have serious repercussions in the resort area. Covington, an advocate for female bare-chestedness in public through the TopFreedom initiative, often goes topless in public places in Maryland, including Ocean City and Assateague.

Roughly 10 months later, the MAGO has not handed down a formal opinion on the issue, nor ostensibly any directives for law enforcement agencies on how to handle the issue in the interim. Absent a clear-cut directive from the Attorney General’s Office, the Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) and the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) are handling the female topless issue with kid gloves, careful to respect the rights of all involved including those females who choose to go topless and the countless visitors and residents who might be offended.

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26 comments:

Anonymous said...

MAGO too busy trying to prevent the President from MAGA

Anonymous said...

Why should anyone be offended?? Due to my age and being a bit overweight, my male "chest" would be the envy of many females who are not WELL endowed. There is NO difference except I have more body hair...

Anonymous said...

Get over it and get used to it.

Rebel Without a Clue said...

So, are the TA-TA's going to be set free?

Jim said...

Boycott.

Anonymous said...

lmao! looked her up on the internet. reminds me of tonya harding aka pancake titties. always not the people you want to see naked. kinda reminds me of my discussions with some colleagues. told them it's like driving by a car accident. your curiosity gets the better of you and you have to look. You will probably regret it but you'll look anyway.
He said his parents were both gynecologists and him and his friends found his parents med school books. the pictures traumatized them!
always the loonies! maybe I should be allowed to take a dump on oc's beaches since it's natural and the beach is filled with trash anyway!
Any complaints?

Anonymous said...

....are handling the female topless issue ....

Anonymous said...

Mommy....that lady is walking around with her boobies hanging out. Yes dear mommy knows....try not to stare at the lady. It isn't polite to stare at mentally ill people.

Anonymous said...

OC a family friendly town? I think not.

Anonymous said...

Family resort?

Anonymous said...

I like topless women, fit right in with the rest of the nuts in OC.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how much business they will lose, I personally won't take my kids to Ocean city anymore.

Anonymous said...

"If you build it, they will come!"

More hotels - they come;
Casino - they come;
Bars practically on every corner - they come;
Specialty weekends (cruisers, bikers, Ravens, Firefighters Sun/Springfests, et al) - they come;

Whip out the ta-ta's - OH HELL NO, blasphemy, EW, YUCK, not family.

YAP YAP YAP - there enough plumbers crack and anal floss that's been in town for DECADES. A set of boobs here or there, come on!

Shocking as it may sound, City Hall is getting lots of publicity over this. Not just here or via the tiny time Salisbury stations. It was on Wash DC TV this morning (WTTG Fox 5 - we have that station in OC) and it will hit national media shortly.

FREE pub is better than ZERO pub! Not a bad move for once City Hall!

Anonymous said...

They'll figure out a way to make it a public safety issue.

Concerned Retiree said...

The Cruisin' and bike week brings in more money for the OC economy and gets criticized severely for their freedom of expression. Topless beach goers bring in very little money to the economy. The Council is not expressing the same negativity. Topless women are using their freedom of expression, it is not any different. Topless women, Cruisin' and Bike Weekend should be given the same rights / consideration. So where is the publicity and angry people / vacationers complaining about OC is a family resort?

Anonymous said...

Freedom.

Anonymous said...

On Jersey Shore there is a beach off to its self for those who want to swing freely in the breeze. maybe that is an option


Anonymous said...

i say oc topless week! that'll bring the crowds! YEA!

Anonymous said...

There will be a OC topless week in the middle of February if the Council / Tourist dept approves one.

Anonymous said...

Prudish Americans. Go anywhere else (minus Muslim countries) and this is common. No one really cares.

Anonymous said...

11:51 It is a public health issue. It has been proven that women who tan with naked breast have a much higher risk of breast cancer.

Anonymous said...

Weak.

Anonymous said...

Hell, it is Great for Business !!! It will triple the
crowds and money being made in OC !!! Great Idea !!!!

Anonymous said...

This clearly isn't what the city wants, but their hands are tied. Arresting topless women simply won't hold up in court anymore.

Anonymous said...

Wrong, decent people really care.

Anonymous said...

It's senior week entire month of June!! What do you consider appropriate age?