I’m not sure how I am supposed to feel about Boobiethon. On one hand, I am a straight bloke, and we do so love looking at the women we love. On the other hand, I need to be aware of avoiding perceptions of sexual objectification of women because I have to maintain an appearance of professionalism with the people that I work with and for.
What I do know for sure is that cancer is something that touches us all - I lost my father to lung cancer less than a year ago, and I’ve had several female friends go through breast cancer treatment and/or scares this year. “As serious as cancer” is a very real metaphor for me.
Boobiethon is about women (and men) exposing their breasts in support of breast cancer charities. Entrants are sponsored to go the full monty, and the money goes to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and The Deb Fund.
Here’s the official press release for this year:
Six years of tradition has the blogger community sharing, and baring, their chests for the best reason they can think of - fighting cancer.
That’s right, the racks are back Oct. 1-8 and they’re committed to raising more than $10,000 in one week by unveiling Mother Nature’s greatest gifts. That’s right, we’re saying it, BOOBIES.
“I love the idea,” says Melissa Connolly, 2007 coordinator, “If someone’s going to ogle my goods, they can at least make a donation to save boobies and lives!”
No one ever said that bloggers were afraid of expressing their opinions or sharing their ideas. Those are the very catalysts that make blogs the influential medium they are today. So when a joke between friends turned into an empowering fundraiser and awareness-raiser bloggers nationwide signed on. And they’re saddling up again for another wild ride in 2007.
In an effort to gain donations for breast cancer research, hundreds of women and
men are donating images of their chests for ogglers world-wide to check out. Generous donor bloggers are seriously strutting their creativity in both the clothed and bared arena on boobiethon.com. Shall we repeat that? boobiethon.com, boobiethon.com, boobiethon.com, boobiethon.com.
The passion, the mission and the history are waiting for you to discover; online; today; right now at boobiethon.com. Don’t worry, all primary pages are work safe.
What do you think? Is Boobiethon a bit of fun in a good cause or an excuse for a bit of soft amateur porn?
“Is Boobiethon a bit of fun in a good cause or an excuse for a bit of soft amateur porn?” I’ve honestly never known a soft porn company spend 20 hour days for six straight Octobers raising $35K for cancer research.
Hi robyn,
thank you for your comment.
I agree entirely - there are small minded people who would differ, and this is a great pity. It should not detract from all the fine work that the Boobiethon organisers have put in.
Best regards, Andrew
Ummmm, interesting question you raise.
If porn is about the objectification of women for a sexual gain then I hardly think displaying boobs for cancer fits the bill. Isn’t that what we women do every time we line up for a squash session at the mammogram clinic anyway?
I do however, think that it is a parents job to talk to their kids about why the people are showing their boobs. This would help to take away any immature notions of “rudeness” and hormone driven ogling. Unfortunately, it will not only be the pre teens and teens who drip saliva!!!!
The boobieathon is a teachable moment and excellent way to capture community participation for a very worthy cause.
Thanks for submitting to the Carnival of Australia.
Hi Megan,
thank you for your comment.
I agree entirely - it is both a wonderful thing and a teachable moment.
Thank you for running the Carnival - it has brought me readers and shown me some good Aussie blogs.
Best regards, Andrew