The Mission:
Local activists, performance artists and sisters Bunny Vish’us and Brittney-Elizabeth Williams are gathering people to hang out at Baltimore’s Artscape- with no pants on! No Pants No Problem participants will walk about casually, enjoying the sights and acting as though their missing pants are completely normal. When people inquire, they’ll be given information about why going pantless is so important.
Why Go Pantless?
They’re dropping trou to start a dialogue about Victim Blaming.
Brittney says, “I told my family that I was walking to a bar with my friends a few weeks ago, and someone followed me for several blocks before finally reaching out and grabbing my butt. My grandfather immediately asked – Well, what were you wearing? I cannot understand why that should matter.”
Regardless of what we have been conditioned to believe, what a person chooses to wear (or not wear) is NOT an invitation for sexual violence of any kind. Further, being (or even just looking) Gay, Bisexual or Transgender should NOT come with the risk of becoming the victim of a hate crime, and cat calling. It doesn’t matter how we’re dressed- it is our right to walk down a street and be met with only respect.
Brittney-Elizabeth wasn’t sure how people would receive the idea: “Initially we were concerned that people wouldn’t understand the cause, so we set a goal of getting 300 people to join the event before we would commit to actually doing it.” What happened next was incredible. Baltimore Slutwalk learned of the movement and decided to collaborate. Then FORCE, a local artist activist group that’s currently working on building a massive quilt for survivors of sexual violence, opted to co-sponsor. Then, with the help of social media, the community took notice and immediately embraced the idea of going pantless. In under three weeks, No Pants No Problem went from a “wouldn’t it be cool if…” conversation between two sisters, to a full-fledged movement backed by nearly 500 people who have happily agreed to go pantless as well.
Bunny is still a little in awe by the speed of it: “Each time I check the event page and see that more people have joined, I am again amazed at how many others are willing to stand up and speak out against this issue. I think we’re all ready for a change”. Though Brittney-Elizabeth and Bunny are feminists, they’re hoping that everyone knows that this movement goes beyond that. “We are feminists, but this is a humanist movement- because sexual violence, cat calling and hate crimes affect all of us. If we can come together in solidarity and make a bold statement such as this one, then together we can encourage the kind of conversation that is necessary to effect change.”
Take off your Pants and Join Us!
At noon on July 19th, participants will meet at MetroGallery to take off their pants, grab some materials to distribute, and head out to enjoy artscape. It’s that simple! Feel free to just show up at MetroGallery any time between noon and 1pm, or visit facebook.com/GoPantless to join the event! Going pantless is legal, but we suggest not wearing thongs or sheer underwear as there will be children at Artscape.
About the Creators
Brittney-Elizabeth Williams, affectionately known as B-Liz, is a queer feminist, activist, and photographer. She is part of the Charm City Kitty Club and Glitter Thighs. She has collaborated with fellow artist-activist group FORCE, and modeled for their Pink Loves Consent action.
Candice Williams, better known as Bunny Vish’us, has traveled the country and beyond performing and teaching the art of burlesque. She was crowned Queen of Crabs in 2012, and is the co-producer of Burl-eoke, a monthly live show that combines burlesque, karaoke, and a generous helping of WTF.
