Court Hears Challenge to Ocean City's Ban on Women Going Topless

Topless or not? The controversy over the legality of women being topless in Ocean City, MD is back in court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit is currently reviewing the decision last year to uphold the ban of women going topless on the beaches of Ocean City.

A group of women challenged an Ocean City ordinance in 2017 that said "there is no constitutional right for an individual to appear in public nude or in a state of nudity" and that "the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering" would be violating the law and could result in a fine of up to $1,000.

In April of 2020, a federal judge issued a ruling, saying that Ocean City could uphold a ban on women going topless on the public beaches. But on Wednesday, three judges heard oral arguments regarding the case. An attorney for Ocean City also spoke at the hearing.

Ocean City officials say the ordinance is what helps the town keep it's image as a family friendly vacation destination.

No word on when a decision will be made.

Source: FOX5DC.com


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