Protest: Stacy Schnee has been riding her bike topless as part of a campaign for women to be able to go topless, like men
A transsexual who bike rides, barbecues and bush walks half-naked to promote 'topless equality' was confronted by police following dozens of complaints about her public nudity.
Stacey Schnee, 38, was pulled over by two police cruisers earlier this month after neighbors complained about her wearing nothing but shorts, shoes and a helmet as she cycled through Leicester, Massachusetts.
Her public display didn't just turn heads - traffic slowed down, motorists honked, some people took video, while others shouted they would call police.
But officers didn't arrest the single mom
But officers didn't arrest the single mom because she was wearing pasties over her nipples, meaning she wasn't completely nude.
However, Schnee said the officers weren't really sure how to interpret the law as they stood next to her on the side of the road.
'They were trying to tell me I was doing something wrong, and I argued back that no, it's not, it's legal,' Schnee toldtelegram.com.
'You don't even actually have to [wear pasties], but it's way easier to get out of trouble when you are wearing them in this state because the laws are shady.
'So, after talking with them [officers] for about five minutes they said, 'Well, just get out of Leicester so we don't have to deal with the calls. Just go back to Worcester'.'
However the unusual incident has forced police and the district attorney's office to take a fresh look at local laws, meaning Schnee could still be charged.
'Based upon a review of the law, it is unclear whether her partially covering herself up, puts her on the right side of the law,' Leicester Police Chief James Hurley said.
'She is out there riding around, appearing to be topless and exposing herself for the shock value.'
Massachusetts General Laws imply if only a small part of the breast is covered, it should be considered nudity. Other sections of the law state a breast is uncovered if there is no covering 'below a point immediately above the top of the areolae.'
Other sections of the law mention the intent to shock is to be considered illegal as well.
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