Topless parade staged in New York

A GoTopless Pride Parade has been held in New York to counter the critics of topless tip-seekers in Times Square.

Participants move down the parade route at the GoTopless Pride Parade as part of the worldwide Go Topless Day campaign in New York City, NY, USA, on August 23, 2015. Photo by Dennis van Tine/ABACAPRESS.COM Source: ABACA USA

Broadway put on a very different kind of Sunday matinee - bare-chested women and men parading through midtown Manhattan.

The GoTopless Pride Parade took to the streets of New York to counter critics of topless tip-seekers in Times Square.

Appearing bare-breasted is legal in New York.

But Mayor Bill de Blasio and police Commissioner Bill Bratton say the body-painted women who pose for photos with tourists are a "nuisance".

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the practice hearkens to the pornographic "bad old Times Square" of the past.

The parade in Manhattan was among dozens staged in about 60 cities for worldwide GoTopless Day.

Participants move down the parade route at the GoTopless Pride Parade as part of the worldwide Go Topless Day campaign in New York City, NY, USA, on August 23, 2015. The parade heads from Columbus Circle to Bryant Park. Photo by Dennis van Tine/ABACAPRESS.COM Source: ABACA USA

GoTopless spokeswoman Rachel Jessee says protesters are calling gender equality when it comes to baring one's chest.

Marchers had various motives for participating.

"We are doing it because it's liberating, it's free, it's something different. Why not?" said Claudia Simondi, 46, a native of Argentina working as a bartender in the US.

Theresa Crudo, 22, even brought along her 15-month-old son.

She came bare-chested - with her husband's approval.

Participants move down the parade route at the GoTopless Pride Parade as part of the worldwide Go Topless Day campaign in New York City, NY, USA, on August 23, 2015. Photo by Dennis van Tine/ABACAPRESS.COM Source: ABACA USA

"Boobs are natural, you know?" she said.

"I wanted to show that you can breast feed in public and do what you have to do for your child."

But Sandy Belzer, 61, was not convinced.

He said he's "seen it all" as a former bartender at New York's famed Copacabana club.

"But this is just a disgrace, what this city has come to," he concluded.

"What's 'equality for breasts'?"