JERSEY CITY — An attempt to rewrite the city's 1980s-era obscenity law received a somewhat chilly reception by members of the City Council at its Monday caucus, with council members expressing specific concern over the plan to lift the ban on women appearing topless in public.

The measure, which deals specifically with sex toys, female breasts and body parts in intimate areas, led to an unusually uncomfortable and occasionally giggly conversation among council members. Ward D Councilman Michael Yun was unwilling to utter the word "breasts," referencing them as "those things" instead.

The obscenity law rewrite was inspired by a local burlesque performer who canceled a March performance after the city said it might violate the current obscenity ordinance, which dates to 1982. The proposed replacement was spearheaded by Ward E Councilman James Solomon.

The changes include dropping all references to "obscene devices," i.e., sex toys (the current law limits personal possession of sex toys to five per person), and redefines "obscene" to reference a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision largely considered the final word on what is and is not obscene.

But it appears reversing the topless ban is what makes some on the council the most nervous. The current law includes "female breasts" in the definition of naked, while the new version would include areas only below the waist.

"If somebody wanted to walk down the street topless, like, I have my granddaughter," said Councilman-at-large Daniel Rivera. "That would kind of like bother me a little bit."

New Jersey law is vague on whether it's legal for women to expose their breasts in public. State appellate judges have upheld local topless bans aimed at women.

Solomon attempted to persuade council members Monday night that lifting the topless ban would not lead to any drastic change. He noted that New York City has allowed women to go topless in public since 1992 and that city has since become "less seedy," not more.

Council members quizzed city attorney Nick Strasser about whether they could adjust obscenity laws ward by ward, which Strasser said would not be feasible.

Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano has said the new law would lead Jersey City to "become the Times Square of New Jersey." Boggiano said at Monday's caucus the city's Muslim and Coptic Christian communities would oppose the proposed changes.

"All those communities are much bigger in New York," Solomon responded. "I feel very safe having my daughter in New York City walking around the street. I don't feel like her morals are compromised.

"That's the argument I'm going to make to you," Solomon added. "Look across the river."

Boggiano said, "I was born and raised in New York City. I live here now. New York City went to hell."

The measure is up for initial approval at the council's Wednesday meeting.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.