A mass demonstration has broken out on the Gold Coast with protesters in skimpy swimsuits lashing out at a local man who called for a ban on thong bikinis.
Community worker Ian Grace caused a national stir with a letter to the local newspaper this week expressing his displeasure at women wearing trendy, barely-there swimsuits.
This sparked a mass reaction from scantily clad locals who marched along Broadbeach on Friday, calling on Australians to “free the peach”.
Around two dozen protesters attacked Broadbeach promenade on the Gold Coast after local Ian Grace called for a ban on thong bikinis.
Protesters were all smiles as they protested Grace’s letter to the local mayor calling for an end to the modern bikini style.
Protesters sported temporary tattoos of peaches on their butts.
Organizer Rebecca Pask said banning bikini blankets was “never going to be the solution.” Never. Not on the Gold Coast.
“We need to teach children and young women in society what is appropriate and what is not, but that begins at home,” he said.
Radio presenter Bianca Dye and influencers Rhiannon O’Loughlin and Brooke Michelle Woods attended the rally.
In his controversial letter, Grace recalled how he was shocked by a young woman’s thong bikini.
“One young girl in particular was walking along the main road path and she had a very small triangle in front of her and she was as naked as possible,” he wrote.
“While any man would enjoy ‘the view,’ I think women are degrading and putting themselves down a lot, portraying themselves as sexual objects and then despising men seeing them that way.”
Dozens of protesters carried signs saying “liberate the beach” and “#peachful protest”
Party scenes erupted in Broadbeach as scantily clad men and women protested.
Both men and women went to the beach in skimpy outfits.
Organizer Rebecca Pask said banning bikini blankets was “never going to be the solution.” Never. Not on the Gold Coast’
The volunteer said that “bare butts” are just as erotic as bare breasts, so they should be banned in the same way.
“If they are not banned from the beach, they are definitely banned the moment they leave the beach,” he wrote.
‘This certainly should not be allowed in public pools or theme/water parks which are much more family orientated. Little boys don’t need to see women’s butts.
Grace called on the city’s mayor, Tom Tate, to ban the fashion statement, something the elected official quickly rejected.
Community volunteer Ian Grace (pictured) said ‘bare bottoms’ are just as erotic as bare breasts so should be banned in the same way.
Grace called on the city’s mayor, Tom Tate, to ban the fashion statement, something the elected official quickly rejected.