Gold Coasters arrive at #freedomofpeach protest started by Barr Body Swim owner Rebecca Pask

Gold Coasters have braved the rain to gather at Broadbeach in honour of #freedomofpeach, with women in skimpy swimwear and a smattering of supportive blokes in budgy smugglers. Watch the video

Tiny bikinis are here to stay, according to a cheeky protest on the Gold Coast on Friday.

Around 20 people braved the rain to gather at Broadbeach in honour of #freedomofpeach, with women in skimpy swimwear and a smattering of supportive blokes in budgy smugglers.

The rally, organised by Barr Body Swim owner Rebecca Pask, was sparked by a letter sent to Mayor Tom Tate by Youth Music Venture founder Ian Grace calling for a city ban on G-string bikinis.

The letter said: “While any man would enjoy ‘the view’, I believe women are very much demeaning and cheapening themselves, portraying themselves as sex objects, then decrying it when men see them that way.

Gold Coast bikini business Barr Body Swims #freedomofpeach walk at Kurrawa beach this morning. Rebecca Pask (in orange) leads the protest.Picture Glenn Hampson

“And if (they are) not banned at the beach, very definitely banned the moment they are off the beach.”

When asked by the Gold Coast Bulletin for his response on Friday, Mr Grace said: “I promised myself and my family no further contact with the media”.

Radio presenter Bianca Dye was among the rally’s ranks, declaring: “We are here on the beach for freedom of peach”.

Radio presenter Bianca Dye at #freedomofpeach protest

“Poor Ian Grace. I feel sorry for him,” she said.

“I get it. We don’t want to see the G-string bikinis when we are walking around Oasis (shopping centre). But keep your hands off of our peaches on the beach.

“It’s the Gold Coast. It’s the land of the great white cheek.

“Tom Tate is for us. Abbie Chatfield is for us. So #freedomofpeach.”

During a live cross with the Today Show, Ms Dye dacked weather presenter Tim Davies.

“We are freeing more than the peach this morning,” Mr Davies said.

Gold Coast bouncer Christian Perez – better known as Caribbean Thor – arrived at the protest in a mankini and said G-strings were “the reason” he “moved to the city”.

Caribbean Thor Christian Perez (right) at #freedomofpeach protest

“This town is about tans and G-strings and people are ruining the fun,” he said.

“We’re here to keep what this town is about.”

Gold Coasters Steven Cragg and Chloe Richards arrived at the event in their G-string shorts and bikini.

“When I was younger I always was self conscious and I am slowly learning to accept my body for the way it is,” Ms Richards said.

“You’re taking away those girls’ confidence and the ability to express themselves regardless of what society thinks.

“Women have come so far and if we banned G-strings we are going back (in time).

“We should have the freedom to express our bodies, how we look and how we dress.”

Mr Cragg said he was at the event to break the stigma around men wearing G-string bottoms.

“It’s not creepy if we do the same thing women do. Currently it is, so it would be good to see a bit more equality going back the other way,” he said.

Gold Coast bikini business Barr Body Swims #freedomofpeach walk at Kurrawa beach this morning. Steven Cragg and Chloe Richards at the rally..Picture Glenn Hampson

Both Mr Cragg and Ms Richards said they agreed people should not wear G-string bikinis in restaurants.

“There’s always context. There’s being respectful and then there’s expressing your freedom,” Mr Cragg said.

“Context is sexual and it’s not what you’re wearing is sexual, it’s what you’re doing,” he said.

Owner of Bebita Swim Sophie Burness said “tiny bikinis are here to stay”.

She said she was proud to be a part of the movement, with both women and men standing up for equality on the Gold Coast.

“Why do men get to wear them but we don’t?” she said.

Ms Burness said she believed women should wear what they want whether it is at the beach or shopping centres.

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