Empire State Building sues over topless photos

[The Straight Story]

NEW YORK (AP) — A fashion photographer is facing a lawsuit for taking pictures of a topless model on the observation deck of the Empire State Building.

The owners of the New York City landmark filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against Allen Henson for a set of photos he took in August.

According court papers filed Monday, Henson didn't apply for permission and never notified the building about his plans for the photo shoot. Building representatives called it objectionable and inappropriate because the observation deck is a family and tourist attraction.

Henson says the view from atop the building is so breathtaking he didn't think anyone noticed.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/empire-state-building-sues-over-topless-photos

[liberal N proud]

1. The observation deck is a tourist trap

What it cost to go up there and then fight the crowds while there. Been there done that, ONCE.

[L0oniX]

3. I was on the World Trade Center observation deck. No crowds. Wonderful view.

[badtoworse]

14. I watched the Brooklyn Bridge 100th Anniversary fireworks from the WTC Observation Deck

That was amazing.

[bettyellen]

20. my Mom, god rest her soul, ran to the first floor window (in the Bronx) to see if she could

catch a glimpse of them when they were on TV. I will never forget that.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. I've been to both

The WTC visit, in hindsight, has stuck with me, obviously. It was a somewhat foggy Saturday morning. One of the guides pointed out that floor trembled a bit with the wind.

Went to the Empire State deck at night. The hook bars obviously took away a lot.

[LeftinOH]

6. Top of the Rock = way better view, less crowds. n/t

[RC]

2. First question: If the model were "properly" covered up, would there be a problem?

Second question: If the model were to be a shirtless man, would there be a problem?

Third question: Why do only women cause this prudish type of controversy?

Think of the children? What hog wash. Those controversial lumps on a woman's chest ARE for the benefit of the children in the first place!
Kinda hard to chew that brontosauruses steak till ya grow some teeth. Why do we call ourselves mammals, then are ashamed of the evidence?

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. I think the children seeing a woman objectified in that way creates an attitude that lasts...

A lifetime.

[RC]

19. Only because of the actions and reactions of the adults around them.

If that were a topless man, would there be the same problem? Would he also not be objectified?

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. Are pictures allowed at The Parthenon?

How long would a scene like that be allowed to play out there? Aren't Europeans supposed to be more mature in those matters than we are?

[Nye Bevan]

22. The children. Think of the children. (nt)

[cherokeeprogressive]

25. LOL nnnnnope.

It's not like you to miss a point but I wasn't "looking out for the children".

I was thinking more along the lines of where adults get their attitudes... from what as kids they see adults doing.

[Chan790]

4. The Empire State Building is going to lose in my expectation.

Public female toplessness is legal in NY State providing it is not being used as a business.

(For example: Topless car wash: illegal. Walking around topless: legal. Topless modeling: probably legal.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/nyregion/a-police-roll-call-reminder-women-may-go-topless.html

[badtoworse]

15. Your admission ticket likely excludes commercial activity.

The topless part may not even be relevant to the lawsuit.

[RedRocco]

5. n/t

[img][/img]

[Coyotl]

13. link

http://worldduh.com/2013/05/16/its-now-ok-for-women-to-go-topless-on-nyc-streets-police-told-to-look-the-other-way/

[Nye Bevan]

7. Toplessness is entirely legal in NYC. So is taking photos. (nt)

[justiceischeap]

8. But on private property you generally need a permit

or permission.

[Nye Bevan]

9. To take photos? Or to be topless?

I have taken many photos on top of the Empire State Building but never needed a permit.

[justiceischeap]

10. To take photos.

I understand that taking photos and being topless aren't illegal in NY but I think the people who own the Empire State building probably have a say in who gets to shoot what from their building.

That said, the court may throw it out since both acts were legal.

[Orrex]

11. They've had this policy ever since that incident with the topless ape in 1933.

Rumor has it he wasn't even wearing pants.

[badtoworse]

16. LOL!

[Motown_Johnny]

12. If photos of a shirtless man on the observation deck can be found

then this will be a very interesting lawsuit.

[Coyotl]

17. City pays woman $40K to keep going topless

City pays woman $40K to keep going topless
By Rich Calder http://nypost.com/2013/10/30/city-pays-woman-40k-to-keep-going-topless/
October 30, 2013

She lost her shirt — and gained $40,000.

Serial breast-baring performance artist and photographer Holly Van Voast won the payout from the city to settle her lawsuit that claimed the NYPD repeatedly violated her constitutional rights to walk around the Big Apple shirtless by putting her in cuffs, according to court papers released on Wednesday.

Van Voast, 46, of the Bronx, who regularly boasts a penciled-in mustache and a Marilyn Monroe hairdo, had claimed in the Manhattan federal court lawsuit that she was illegally arrested and at times tossed in mental wards at least 10 times for going shirtless in public “while exercising her right to be topless anywhere a man is permitted to be topless.”

She had been touring the city as “Harvey Van Toast, the topless paparazzo,” the suit says “After experiencing numerous busts, we are pleased that Holly Van Voast has received compensation,” said her lawyer ...............

====================
Topless Shock: Holly Van Voast Exposes New Work And Her NYC Art Career
http://www.hollishollywood.com/2012/12/holly-van-voast/
December 27, 2012

[edbermac]

24. Some of his pics:

I could take better shots than him.

Maybe we could make it a theme for the next DU photo contest.

Topless Men And Women In NYC.




http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2538849/Empire-State-Building-sues-photographer-unauthorized-topless-shoot.html