Gender bias manifests itself in many forms, including laws that target women and their anatomies. LAMC 63.44.B.20 institutionalizes a bias against women and transgender individuals of the LGBTQ community by targeting only women’s areolas and not men’s. Our goal is to eliminate all laws that target gender—whether they target men, women, or transgendered individuals. 

Therefore, be it resolved,

We the people, strongly recommend that the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, The State of California and the United States of America start this catalyst of change by eliminating language that creates bias in anyway: 

1)    City of Los Angeles Municipal Code:

LAMC 63.44.B.20

No person shall appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk or be in any public park, playground, beach or the waters adjacent thereto, in such a manner that the genitals, vulva, pubis, pubic symphysis, pubic hair, buttock, natal cleft, perineum, anus, anal region, or pubic hair region of any such person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the areola thereof of any such female person, is exposed to public view or is not covered by an opaque covering.

(a) This subdivision shall not apply to children under the age of 10 years.

(b) This subdivision shall not apply to live theatrical performances performed in a theater, concert hall, or other similar establishment located on public land. 

2.) Los Angeles County Municipal Code

Section 17.04.480

Nudity and disrobing prohibited—Exceptions.

A.

No person shall appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk, change clothes, disrobe or be in any park in such a manner that the genitals, vulva, pubis, pubic symphysis, pubic hair, buttocks, natal cleft, perineum, anus, anal region or pubic hair region of any person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the areola thereof of any female person, is exposed to public view, except in those portions of a comfort station, if any, expressly set aside for such purpose.

B.

This section shall not apply to persons under the age of 10 years, provided such children are sufficiently clothed to conform to accepted community standards.

C.

This section shall not apply to persons engaged in a live theatrical performance in a theater, concert hall or similar establishment which is primarily devoted to theatrical performances.

3.) CA STATE LAW

CA Code of Regulations Section 4322.Nudity

No person shall appear nude while in any unit except in authorized areas set aside for that purpose by the Department. The word nude as used herein mean unclothed or in such a state of undress as to expose any part or portion of the public or anal region or genitalia of any person or any portion of the breast at or below the areola thereof of any female person.

“Unit” = Any named and classified unit under control of the Department of Parks and Recreation as well as any Department projects which have not yet been named or classified. (Includes a beach)

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Identify similar laws by city, county, state and nationwide, and send letters to your local municipalities asking to remove bias.

Share the video. Sign this petition. Stay connected.  Post news and updates on this topic message thread. Continue to identify other laws that support bias so we can continue our mission.

Be the leadership you want to see. Get involved with this and other topics in your community. Follow the laws in place until we change them. Build relationships and respect differences of opinion. This is one step toward modernizing our laws for the betterment of all. You can make a difference.

Thank you!

* I speak as an individual not on behalf of any organization.