The “Free the Nipple” movement has been gaining traction in many areas around the world. In some places, however, it’s already been freed. Or has it?

Going topless in New York city is not illegal. Topless women often paint their bodies and perform for tourists, hoping to be given tips. They are called desnudas, a Spanish word that means “naked lady.”

What would make this toplessness illegal would be if the women were demanding or requiring tips when tourists want to take pictures with them. Around the areas where street performers strut their stuff, there are often signs reminding tourists that tipping is optional and they should not feel pressured to do so. Despite the street performers following the rules, the Times Square attempted banishment of these female performers is, in my opinion, sexist. Many people are familiar with New York’s famous Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck. He performs in nothing but cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and barely-there underwear. His guitar is perfectly placed to provide the illusion of nudity. Men walk around with nothing but tape over their nether regions. Really, these male performers are showing nothing more than the women are, and they do not get harassed by police and public officials. The problem is that women’s breasts are sexualized in our society. Their only true function is to provide babies with nourishment, and yet society sees them as sexual organs for everyone else’s viewing pleasure. It would be nice to one day live in a society where the topless women of New York City are no longer controversial, and their toplessness isn’t seen as a spectacle or a big deal.

One of the solutions provided for the topless ladies is to place them in a different zone. The plan was to separate Times Square into “civic zones,” for public events, and “solicitation zones” for any street performers, including the topless women. This would allow the performers to remain in Times Square, as they have a right to be there, but would also make it easier for tourists to avoid them if they would like to.

In an article published by the New York Post, a reporter went undercover as one of these performers. Overall, she heralded her experience as a positive, safe one. They even had a man with them, Chris, who was a painted lady “manager.” He was the artist that applied their body paint, as well as a bodyguard. Throughout the day, he watched from a distance to make sure no one made any inappropriate touches or advances. Unfortunately, groping is inevitable, and their manger chased away anyone who was being inappropriate. At the end of a long day, she made $282, and Chris took a small cut of that for being her body-painter and protector.

As long as the women follow the laws, I don’t see why they must be moved or removed from Times Square. Nipples aren’t—or at least shouldn’t—be anything this controversial. Men, women, and everyone in-between has nipples. Some just perform a different function than others, like doing the important work of feeding children. If women want to go topless and perform, I say go for it. Free the nipple, girls, and all the power to you.