Jen Moss, the "Naked Lady," to March Topless in July 4 Parade

Jen Moss, a.k.a. "the Naked Lady" of Ashland, Oregon, is intent on marching topless in the town's annual Fourth of July Parade. According to a June 18 Chicago Tribune article, despite local laws that normally allow citizens to go topless during their daily activities, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce insists that the parade is a "family event," and thus Jenn Moss must remain clothed. According to Jen Moss, this interpretation of the event infringes on her Constitutional rights and, in her view, is "un-American." If she is not allowed to parade topless, she says she will contact the American Civil Liberties Union about the possibility of a lawsuit.

Moss is known around Ashland for her regular nude bicycle rides, and originally hails from Ojai, California, where nudity laws are more strict.

Nudity laws vary throughout the U.S., and even by individual cities. In Illinois, for example, public indecency laws prohibit both public sexual acts and "lewd exposure of the body with intent to arouse," though certain types of nudity (such as the breast-feeding of infants) are not to be considered acts of public indecency.

Jen Moss has already received a number of citations from both California and Oregon state police, so she must know that indecency charges are considered serious crimes. They are listed as Class A misdemeanors, and those convicted of three or more charges are guilty of a Class 4 felony. This type of offense carries jail time of up to ten years, as well as fines of up to $100,000.

Would Jen Moss face similar charges for nude cycling in Chicago? In terms of the Chicago Municipal Code, the answer is yes. The Code states that any female person that appears in public with their breasts exposed is breaking the law. Violators receive fines between $100 to $500 for each offense.

Even in such liberal-leaning states as California, Jen Moss would be subject to public indecency charges. Though California may boast a number of nude beaches, their public indecency laws do not extend off the sandy shores. Indeed, as About.com notes in their section on nude beaches, both Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties have their own laws, which do not allow for beach nudity, nor any other types of clothing-optional activities.

If you're planning on pulling a Jen Moss in your local Independence Day parade or elsewhere, it's important to get to know the laws that govern your area. Simply Google-searching "public indecency laws" along with your city or state can be a great help, and can save you from the embarrassment of an indecency arrest.