The time for emancipation is here – fighting for freedom for the female form

Celebrating the female form Title Sussex Magazine www.titlesussex.co.uk

Extraordinarily, the female nip is still banned, barred and blocked – from social media, from the streets… but increasingly groups are fighting inherent objectification and freeing the female form…

“Is that a nipple? Oh my god I can’t believe you’d exhibit your nipple to the public! Have you no shame?” the man sneers at the woman whilst she breastfeeds her newborn in public, before venturing home to binge watch porn in graphic detail. We do love contradictory morals!

And why haven’t we shown a nipple in our image above? The answer is because it means we’d get barred. Female nipples are not allowed on social media – and we’d like you be able to actually read this article.

The largest Free the Nipple collective celebration in the UK is returning to Brighton on the 22nd of June for their biggest and most daring activist march so far. The award winning event will be returning for its fourth year and is designed to battle these toxic ideas, double standards and patriarchal mindsets which surround the female body. The event is completely free and open to everyone, so get your nips out (or if you don’t want to, just have big nip energy) and join in the fun.

Free the nipple march in Brighton Title Sussex Magazine www.titlesussex.co.uk

FIGHTING CENSORSHIP

The global Free the Nipple campaign has been a phenomenal protest since 2014 to battle the censorship and criminalisation of women’s breasts, and grows every year. The larger mission surrounding the campaign is one of equality and empowerment. The mission was created to reclaim women’s ownership over their own bodies and sexuality, whilst also aiming to decrease a societal mindset that portrays female breasts as having a solely sexual purpose.

Advertising… stays true to the saying that ‘sex sells’ by reinforcing the concept that women’s breasts are inherently sexual

Advertising and marketing companies, even to this day, stay true to the saying that ‘sex sells’ by reinforcing the concept that women’s breasts are inherently sexual. In an effort to promote perfumes, cars and even food; unimaginative advertisers use breasts to generate ‘desire’ for their products.

Free the Nipple Brighton aims to dismantle this concept so ingrained in our society, arguing that the dictatorship preference of using the male gaze in advertising is damaging for everyone. The negative culture surrounding body image, sexual freedom and the beauty industry are all created by our society at the foundation; causing issues of slut shaming and transphobia. There are many layers of toxicity that the Free the Nipple campaign aims to tackle, and by having a high turnout for events like these can alter the way the world views women.

“…everyone has the right to a neutral body, the right to be safe in their own skin, and the right to exist without the influence of rape culture and the male gaze”

Organiser Bee Nicholls explains that the event aims to promote everyone’s right to a body that isn’t seen as overtly sexual. “I firmly believe that everyone has the right to a neutral body, the right to be safe in their own skin, and the right to exist without the influence of rape culture and the male gaze. It’s high time we end the double standard that tells women they should cover up to be respected.

“Nipples are just a body part! If our message resonates with you, join us to march. This is an independent grassroots movement powered by our incredible local activist community. We are growing all the time. Come and join in and be part of the revolution.”

Want to make a difference and fancy joining in with the biggest Free the Nipple march in the UK? On the 22nd of June, simply trot along to Old Steine Gardens between 2-3pm to get body painted and prepared for the walk, though you are not required to be topless to take part.

The procession will then launch their 3pm parade through Brighton seafront and head towards the i360. If you’re worried about not being able to attend due to accessibility issues, worry not; the route is completely accessible with a gentle pace and regular rests, and a picnic to look forward to post walk.

If you haven’t had your fill of nipples for one day, head over to North Laine Brewhouse at 9pm for an introduction of ‘Glitter Nips’, a ticketed after-party which starts at 9pm to celebrate the breast things in life. The goal of this event is to raise money for breast cancer charities and welcomes with open arms people of all genders, however you do need to be 18+.

Free the Nipple march is on Saturday 22 June in Brighton
For more information check Free the Nipple