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Shirts off, Heat on- Bowling Green OH

Woman carries out act of civil disobedience by going topless, gets a fine, and exposes sexist laws.
Shirts off, Heat on- Bowling Green OH

On June 12, 2005 Lorien Bourne of Bowling Green, Ohio carried out an act of civil disobedience. Her act took place on Bowling Green’s Slippery Elm Trail. Unlike more publicized acts, like sitting a tree slated for demolition, Lorien’s act was not so predictable and etched into the public’s mind.

Lorien’s removal of her shirt served as the act’s focal point. As Lorien explained, in a recent interview: “I did an act of civil disobedience; challenging the double standards, protesting the selective enforcement of the laws, the societal sexualization of women and the control of women’s bodies by men.” And indeed her act was neither arbitrary nor unprovoked. Rather, the presence of unclothed men on the Slippery Elm Trail inspired her action.

Like many acts of civil disobedience, Lorien’s act attracted the attention of those in positions to enforce rules. A park ranger, in particular, confronted Lorien after nearly one-half of an hour of her walking on the trial without a shirt; like the aforementioned male citizens. The park ranger curiously accused Lorien of perverting the park as he stated that she would “bring all the wrong elements to the park.” After this verbal exchange, the park ranger warned Lorien and declared that he would conduct an investigation.

But the story does not end there. On June 14, 2005, the park ranger contacted Lorien via telephone. Saying it was “such a nice day for a drive”, the park ranger arranged to meet Lorien and speak to her in person. Upon his arrival at Lorien’s home, he gave her three citations, two minor misdemeanors of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, one fourth-degree misdemeanor for public indecency. With these Lorien immediately began facing the possibility of up to $300 or more costs in fines, court costs, and several weeks in jail. To make matters worse, according to Lorien, the park ranger interacted with her in a condescending way and in a patronizing tone. Lorien’s embellished paraphrasing of the park ranger sums it up well, as such: “You poor feeble-minded little girl, the definition of indecent exposure is too long and difficult for you to understand…and I can waste no more of my valuable time with you.”

Later, Lorien went to the local court house to request a public defender. The public defender, a woman, then instructed Lorien to plead no contest in order to have two charges immediately dropped. Based on what the public defender said Lorien would have to pay a fine for public indecency and do a year of probation. The other possibility, according to the defender, was to plead not guilty and go to trial. Going to trial would mean losing, according to the defender, paying the highest fine, and going to jail. Lorien decided to do some research and resume the conversation with the defender later.

With the help of a friend, Lorien found the Bowling Green Ordinance that requires everyone, except males under the age of twelve, to wear a shirt. She likewise found a definition of indecent exposure as being “the deliberate exposure of the private parts of the anatomy.” So, Lorien asked her defender what “private parts” entailed. The defender admitted that such parts typically refer to genitalia.

A week or so later, the defender informed Lorien that the prosecution dropped the disorderly conduct and public indecency charges. They were, however, still charging her with indecent exposure due to the park district’s rule that no one may be in the “state of nudity” while in the park. Lorien was quick to describe the men who had inspired her act of civil disobedience. The prosecution, however, was not as sensitive to selective law enforcement.

During another meeting, the public defender acknowledged that the prosecution was in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment; meaning equal protection under the law. The defender, then, additionally admitted that Lorien could fight the remaining charge but warned the fight would be long and expensive. The trial would cost up to $700, the defender explained, and jail would be likely. An offer from the prosecution, however, offered $50 fine plus court costs, without jail, and without parole. Lorien took the offer, pled no contest, and paid $110 in total.

Lorien wanted to fight the charges, seeing the situation as discriminatory and a clear violation of her Fourteenth Amendment rights. As she explained: “It broke my heart to take the offer. I didn’t want to do it, I cried.”

Although Lorien could not afford the trial, she was able to file a complaint against the park ranger. She additionally asked that signs be placed in the city’s parks stating that everyone must wear a shirt. Officials denied her request. She currently hopes to find additional support and build a coalition around the issue.

Readers are welcome to contact Lorien at: styxhere (at) hotmail.com
 
 

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