A feminist wave has hit Iceland with women baring their breasts on Twitter and other social media under #freethenipple. The initiative was started by Bóel Sigríður Guðbrandsdóttir, chair of the junior college Verzlunarskóli Íslands’ Feminist Association.
When Bóel was criticized for posting a topless picture of herself on Twitter today, the online community was quick to respond. Both men and women posted pictures of themselves without a shirt on in her support, Vísir reports.
“The goal is simply to further gender equality. Topless women are such a taboo and it’s accepted within society that this is something that isn’t ok. Breasts aren’t genitals and we just want to celebrate the body,” Bóel reasoned.
A ‘Free the Nipple Day’ will be held in Verzlunarskóli, several other junior colleges and the University of Iceland tomorrow. “We encourage all women at the school, students and teachers, not to wear bras tomorrow. Boys can also cut holes in their shirts and that way show their nipples,” Bóel said.
“For me it’s about being the way you like. Not to wear a bra or wear a see-through top to show the breasts and the nipples. But if you’re comfortable with wearing a bra, that’s fine too,” Heiður Anna Helgadóttir, chair of the Feminist Association of the University of Iceland, commented.
“It’s just a body part. Boys have breasts and nipples and it’s fine for them to expose them. The same should apply to us,” Heiður added.
Among women who have supported the initiative and posted pictures of herself with a naked upper body is television personality Margrét Erla Maack. “I just find it dreadful that I can’t show these babies off any way I want,” she stated.
The picture is from Sirkus Íslands’ ballet performance Skinnsemi (‘Skin Sensibility’).
Bright Future MP Björt Ólafsdóttir also exposed a nipple on Twitter, reasoning, “this one here is for feeding babies.”
