#RightToBareArms gaining support after BC Legislature female staff, reporters told to cover up
Posted March 29, 2019 11:39 am.
Last Updated March 29, 2019 11:41 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – From outrage to disbelief, women are firing back after female reporters at the BC Legislature, were told to cover up their arms by the sergeant-at-arms earlier this week.
A security official told a staffer wearing small cap-sleeves on Wednesday to cover herself up. In protest, some staff and press wore short-sleeved or sleeveless outfits on Thursday.
“Any organization that has a dress code that is so complicated and or unwritten that it has to be navigated by half of your staff, you’ve missed the point by why we would have standards of attire in the first place,” says Amy Robichaud, the executive director of Dress For Success Vancouver. “And I think that’s where the BC Legislature over the last day is.”
The #RightToBareArms hashtag took off on social media, with people showing support for the female reporters and staff.
“Men primarily commenting on women’s attire, suggesting that they shouldn’t be showing their shoulders because that’s not conservative enough or professional enough. I would argue that those comments aren’t professional enough,” she adds.
The legislature says tradition dictates men and woman dress in “contemporary business attire” when recognized to speak, during question period or in debate.
But, given the constantly-evolving fashion world, that definition could change.
“I am so shocked that someone would think that contemporary fashion for women would not include sleeveless tops. What is wrong with a woman’s arms? What is offensive about that? Contemporary takes on business dressing have changed so dramatically,” says Toronto-based fashion journalist Jeanne Beker, who has been called ‘Canada’s queen of style.’
WATCH: Dress code debate at the B.C. Legislature
Acting sergeant-at-arms, Randy Ennis made the comments earlier this week and several female reporters showed up for work at the legislature sporting sleeveless fashion in protest yesterday.
In the past, men have been told to leave the legislature for wearing shorts or jeans.
