Going Topless ???

[stephanie_craxford]

 I used to be a big runner, covering about 10 miles a day up until a few years back.  Now I stick to my tread mill.  One of my favorites was to run topless, of course there was no mistaking that I was male back then.

So we were driving by a fitness center last week and there happened to be a guy running bare chested.  I commented "remember when I used to be able to do that".  To which Gillian replied "well you still can, remember it's legal here now."

I had forgotten that here in Ontario it is legal for a woman to go topless in public.  I looked at Gillian and said "I will if you will", and that was the end of that 

I've noticed that since my breasts have developed, I become sort of self concious and wouldn't dream of going out in public topless, even though it's legal here.  How about everyone else?

[Leigh]

Its legal here cept we are *supposed* to cover the nipples yet it never happens.

With the exception of this year and 2000 I have went topless in the Dyke march Saturday night during Pride weekend and in 2003 I was topless in the main parade on Sunday.  Me and about 200 other women 

The DJ at the bar I go to approached me 2 years ago about doing some kind of performance on stage.  There are no limits here on nudity in bars so I asked a friend and so we did one. 

I think it all depends on where your comfort level is and if a person is able to handle any possible reprocussions of doing so.

Leigh

[4years]

I am the child that did not get in the water when we went to the lake because I'd have to take off my shirt.

Lets just say it would surprise me greatly

[beth]

I've noticed that since my breasts have developed, I become sort of self concious and wouldn't dream of going out in public topless, even though it's legal here.  How about everyone else?

public? since ive developed some, i have a problem in private.



beth

[Dennis]

Before I hit puberty I ran around topless all the time. Now I would feel extremely self conscious (of course, my breasts are extremely unwanted - wish they'd realize that and just go find a nice home on an MtF). It'll be interesting for me to know whether I will revert to my pre-puberty lack of shyness after chest surgery. At home I run around topless all the time, but I live alone, so that's ok for me.

Dennis

[Sarra]

When I was 12 and under, I was pretty much a nudist. :p

I kinda can't go shirtless, and haven't been able to for a few years. Last time I went shirtless, EVERYONE stared at me. It wasn't due to breast material, but due to my frame. I suppose I looked like a girl with no chest... I didn't even have chest hair. =\

No, I don't think I'll go topless any time soon. I don't even like it when my mom sees me from the back without a shirt. Then again, I really don't have anything to hide, thanks to my wild hormone balance swings, neither hair nor breast tissue seems to be able to live there anyway.

[Ellen]

i have allways enjoyed swimming , topless of course , now that i have development i wouldnt dream of it , not only am i sensitive to the fact that i have breasts at last even though small, in arizona any exposed skin is subject to severe sun burns , ouch ... Ellen

[LynnER]

It gets hot here, Real hot and as far back as I can remember when I wasnt working Id go topless just for the comfort factor. *Even though Id get picked on for being so skinny and white*
Even for shows, (my bands preformances) Id loose the shirt at some point due to the unberable heat on stage....  well yeah..... that dosnt happen anymore.
I had to buy an industrial fan to place on stage and my bandmates politely asked me to stop with the drenching with water *My other onstage cooling trick* atleast when I wear a white t-shirt. *Shrugs*

Swimming?  *crys*  Public pools are out of the question atm and I really miss the water  (Tried binding for a friends party at the water park and WONT be do that again)

[Denise01]

Even when I was young for some reason I did not like to go topless. even when swimming.
As the years advances, and my breasts started to grow, even thought I am not on any tyep of medication, I got more self conscious and would not go topless even around the house.  I guess that  was my femme side coming out, even though at that time I was not into  dressing.  Now that I am advancing into my alter femme self, going topless is something that I would not now even think of


Denise

[Terri-Gene]

I'm a little shy about topless, I kind of shocked myself at the park last week, but I wasn't actually topless for more then 5 min or so,  After stripping, I just took my time getting my new T on,  but I think it's mostly about just being somewhat juvinilebreasted for a woman of my width of frame and age.  Not in proportion to my size and to pointy with no restraints.  Just the old vanity thing I guess and it's rediculous, but my breasts are immature, kind of juvinile looking, and I'm a little shy about showing them.  I guess its like guys not wanting to show off a small dick.  I'll get over it though, a lot of women have to.

Terri

[Sheila]

Going topless, I just realized the other day that I can't do that anymore. Now some might say yes you can, but I'm more shy about such things than some. I would take my shirt off when I was a man, but now that I'm female and do have breasts, I can't do that anymore. I was at work and one of the girls got reprimanded for wearing too small of a tank top and was going to be sent home to change. I went to her and said I will give you my shirt as I was going home. She lookied at me and said what will you wear? I looked at her and realized I wouldn't have anything on except a bra. Her tank would not have fit as I'm much bigger. I just realized that I have breasts that can't be shown in the public. Some of the girls laughed as they all know who I am.
Sheila

[AllisonY2K]

no, I wouldn't think of going topless. Heck even at home, in the backyard pool I still have a 2-piece on (never know if the neighbors are peeping toms). My other housemates, one of which is also TS, will go in the pool nude but not me. I guess I am just very modest.

[Cassandra]

Topless! Not on a bet! I never took my shirt off before I grew breasts. I am way to modest for that. I don't wear two peice bathing suits either. I don't swim that much anyway. I like hiking and camping. Not much call for going topless with that activity.

Cassie

[tiffani66]

Hi, everyone.  My name is Tiffani.

I would not, under normal circumstances, go out in public topless.

I have been on HRT since September 2, 1992 and living as a female since May 15, 1993. 

For the first time in my life, I participated in the Dyke March and the main Pride Parade this year.

In the Dyke March on Saturday, June 25, I marched with the 2spirited women.  I am descended from First Nations peoples (I am approximately 1/8 First Nations).  Even with that in mind, I was agreeably surprised by my ready acceptance by the group, as I was not expecting that.  I ejoyed marching with them and was invited to come to their community centre, located in the downtown area of Toronto, near the corner of Yonge and Dundas, at 23 Elm St. 

As of this time, I have been unable to go there to visit, due to the fact that, once Pride was over, I had to find a new apartment to live in, arrange to move from one apartment to the other, arrange for the transfer of my internet service, move in to the new apartment and, somehow, find a little bit of time to relax ( I am involved in several groups as an activist) which, for me, is a rare occurence.

In the Pride Parade on Sunday, I marched with the NDP contingent.  That was also a very enjoyable experience, altho I ended up with a severe sunburn as a result of my participation.

Leigh, do you live in Toronto?  I live near the corner of Dundas and Jarvis Sts., in the eastern part of the downtown area.  Did you participate in either parade this year?

I am living on disability, which prevents me from being able to obtain SRS at this time for financial reasons, as well as due to the fact that SRS has not yet been relisted by the provincial government.

Because of one of the many facets of my disability, I was not able to finish high school.  I am looking into the possibility of getting my General Equivalency Diploma so that I can go to college.  I would likely enrol in several foreign language courses, as I have somewhat of a natural talent for learning foreign languages.  I am also interested in community/social work, so I might also enrol in courses for that.  I would like to combine the two fields so that if I graduated, I would be able to  help more people than I might have been able to do through using only one of the two fields.

I will be marching in both parades next year, altho whether I would be willing to go topless during the marches is something that needs to be determined; I am considering it.

Blessed be!

Tiffani

[Leigh]

Leigh, do you live in Toronto? I live near the corner of Dundas and Jarvis Sts., in the eastern part of the downtown area. Did you participate in either parade this year?

Sorry, I am in Portland, OR.

I was in our Dyke March during Pride week here and for a change I was not in the main parade on Sunday.  It is rare that women from this community participate in the G&L parts of any parade.  Most that I see are together marching in some sort of support group assembly.

I am also 1/8 native but my heritage is from the Yukon Territories.

Leigh

[Carli]

I would not go topless because it is not ladylike to be seen without a top.  As a male I went swimming wearing a shirt.  I would not show my breasts if I went to Mari Grau. 

[Leigh]

I would not go topless because it is not ladylike to be seen without a top. As a male I went swimming wearing a shirt. I would not show my breasts if I went to Mari Grau.

I would be really interested to learn your version of what a *lady* or *ladylike* is. 

[Terri-Gene]

Going Topless, whats it really all about?  I guess there are a lot of issues on this in the str8 world, but from within the Lesbian culture where I have limited inclusion or am "Female Identified" the experience seems to be a simple form of bonding, and showing that common bond of experience.  It is often used as a political and social statement, but that common bond with each other is always in the background, This if nothing else is the importantance of breasts to me, to demonstrate and proudly display a part in that common bond.

Terri

[Maura Hartman]

This brings to mind the post-op transwoman who climbed topless atop a power transmission tower next to the freeway bridge and stopped morning traffic for hours with her circus fire eater act. The picture in the Seattle Times showed her in all her busty glory shooting a huge ball of flames from her mouth. She was protesting in favor of women being able to go topless at the beach and breast feed infants openly in public.

[LeslieGirl]

Hi

My opinion is that us girls should be legally allowed to go topless in certain areas.

LeslieGirl