Woman wins suit over right to go topless in NY

Council Minutes • District of Maple Ridge

COUNCIL MEETING

June 17, 1997

03 DELEGATIONS

03.01.01 Ms. Linda Meyer re amendment to the By-law to allow women to go topless in the Municipal Swimming Pool.

Ms. Meyer stated that her request needs no introduction, noting that regardless of Municipal by-laws, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruling carries a lot of weight and it is the Supreme law of Canada. It clearly states that women can go topless anywhere men can as everyone is equal under and before the law. She questioned if there is some part of the Constitution that Council does not understand.

She further stated that she does not want to sue the District of Maple Ridge and that is why she is before Council, however, she wants to go topless in the Municipal pool any time without staff interference.

She further noted that she has been in contact with Toronto’s City Hall and was informed that Toronto does not have a by-law that allows women to go topless, however, the Municipalities within Toronto city limits have the following policies regarding topless women – staff have been given clear direction not to phone the police, not to report topless women, not to harass or threaten topless women, which happened to her last year, and not to ask them to leave the premises. Staff can ask them to put on a top but cannot force them to do so. Citizens can report a topless women to the police but they have no authority or power to arrest topless women which is why she is suing the police and the Supreme Court. Her suit number is A-96-2700.

Ms. Meyer stated that on July 1, 1997 at 3:00 p.m. she will go topless and does not want to be harassed by the Leisure Centre staff. Staff cannot deny her access into a public facility. Anyone who touches her will be sued for common assault. If Maple Ridge refuses to comply with the Supreme law of Canada, every time she is harassed or denied access to the Leisure Centre, she will sue the District of Maple Ridge for $1 million. She does not need Council’s permission to go topless anywhere. Ontario females and males can go topless.

Ms. Meyer asked if the District intends to pass a policy and the Mayor advised that issue will be dealt with later in the meeting.

Ms. Meyer reiterated that she will go topless on July 1st and will sue the District of Maple Ridge and any police officer who arrests her.

Ms. Meyer ended her presentation at this point.