'Uncomfortable': Gold Coast community worker wants bikini bottoms banned from streets
A Gold Coast community worker has been called out over his push to have skimpy bikini bottoms banned from the streets.
Ian Grace has been running a charity for children and teenagers for the past 14 years and at a recent event noticed the amount of "bare bums on display" in front of the kids - and nowhere near the beach.
So he wrote a letter to Mayor Tom Tate, asking for rules to be put in place that would force people to cover up away from the sand.
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Ian said this swimwear is fine at the beach, but not when walking the streets or at the shops. Today
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But Ian's campaign has angered many, saying it's a woman's right to wear whatever makes her comfortable - even if it makes those who have to see it squirm.
"It's interesting, I've had a huge amount of support but there are a few ferals that have found ways to message me and it's not pleasant," he told Today.
"I mean, opinions differ, but that's okay."
It seems the mayor is one of those differing opinions to Ian, with him defending the swimwear typical to the Gold Coast and saying it isn't going anywhere.
Ian said he had accepted the swimwear would be sticking around on the actual beach, but still thinks people should be covering up on the streets, in shops and on public transport.
Ian said he has received some backlash from people who disagree with his view. Today
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"I've been asked what about budgie smugglers and it's the same thing, if guys walk off the beach, no one wants to see your bare bum - cover up," he said.
"I've had so many people say to me they were on a public bus and three ladies got in with their bare bums and no one would want to sit in those seats afterwards.
"Others talk about walking around shopping centres kilometres away from the beach seeing bare bums in coffee shops and it felt uncomfortable."
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