On the streets of Worcester, some residents have done a double take, questioning whether they really saw a woman walking or biking around town topless.

"That's me," said Stacey, who did not want to have her last name published. "I'm trying to promote topless equality."

In early July, Stacey stepped outside her Worcester home fully dressed below the belt, but without a bra or shirt.

"I've been a nudist for years and years," she said. "I started being an activist about a month ago."

She began going topless in Worcester when she became the spokeswoman for the Massachusetts chapter of Topless Equality. "Speaking out for Topless Equality is simply a fundamental right that I will shout from every rooftop that I am allowed to," she wrote on organization's website. She believes that if woman can legally go topless it will reduce sexism, adding "as we see a gain in allowing a woman's right to be and live topless, you will see more body acceptance and healthy women."

While she admits the prospect was a bit "scary at first" she said that safety is a concern for women, regardless of their clothing, or lack thereof. "Any woman walking anywhere has to be careful."

Primarily, her activism takes place through everyday moments, striking up conversation about her campaign when possible. While walking or biking through Worcester, she carries business cards to hand out. The cards read "I Support Topless Equality for Women" with a link to the Mass. chapter of Topless Equality and her twitter handle. The flip side of the card provides a brief definition for the movement.

Recently a young woman came up to her who said she supported her efforts. Upon Stacey agreeing to take a photo with her, the woman took her top off as well and posed for the picture.

Others reach out to her through social media, or post about seeing Stacey throughout the city.

On August 19, Twitter user @BradyDetwiler tweeted, "I just served ice cream to a topless woman. Yeah, no, there's no punch line there."

"That was me," Stacey tweeted back. "Support #Topless #Equality."

Some support her activism, or at least find it interesting enough to post on social media, while she has upset others. In the past month, the Worcester police department has received several calls regarding her. Last week she said, "one woman yelled out her 'I'm calling the cops, jerko!'"

When the officers arrived, they "asked me what I was doing, why I was doing it, even asked if I'm sane," said Stacey, with a laugh.



When out in the city, she wears pasties on her breasts. As such, after police check in with her, "they say 'have a good day' and let me be," she said.

According the Commonwealth's crimes against "chastity, morality, decency and good order" nudity is defined as, "uncovered or less than opaquely covered human genitals, pubic areas, the human female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola, or the covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state. For purposes of this definition, a female breast is considered uncovered if the nipple or areola only are covered."

Other East Coast cities have addressed the issue. The 1992 case People v. Ramona Santorelli and Mary Lou Schloss gave women in New York the right to be topless in public.

New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Paul Browne told the Village Voice, "The state's highest court established long ago that women have the same right as men to appear topless in public. Absent a link to some commercial enterprise or promotion, the woman's lack of certain attire in this instance does not appear to be a police matter."

Three years ago, Pittsfield residents voted on a ballot to allow topless sunbathing. While the issue has received the needed 200 signatures to be placed on the ballot, The Berkshire Eagle reported it was overwhelmingly voted down overall.

Though Stacey is fighting for the right to not wear a shirt, she understands the need for a dress code at times. As a software engineer, Stacey dons full business attire for work. "A business has a right to set a dress code," she said. "When a restaurant posts a sign that says 'no shirt, no shoes, no service,' I'm fine with that because it's a standard for both men and women."

While not legal in Boston, a group of activists will protest sans shirts Sunday afternoon.

August 25 has been declared "Go Topless Day." According to the event's website, there will be protests from U.S. to Israel to Australia.

The Boston event will begin at 1 pm, at the corner of Boylston and Charles Streets. More information is available on the event's Facebook page.