Rain Dove plays basketball topless in video to make a statement about Instagram’s nudity rules

Rain Dove, who revealed that they were recently pepper sprayed in a women's restroom

Rain Dove has posted a video to Instagram playing a basketball game topless to protest Instagram’s “female nudity” rules.

At present, Instagram users cannot post a video of themselves topless if they have their nipples exposed, unless they are breastfeeding.

Model Dove, who is genderfluid, took to the basketball court to protest the gender-restrictive rules.

 

Rain Dove models as both genders (Rain Dove)

Rain Dove models as both genders (Rain Dove)

Playing a basketball game with pro player Crissa Ace.

“Let me DD-fend myself,” Rain Dove wrote in the post addressed to Instagram.

“Sure, I may have my DD Breasts out. Nipples shining in the sun. But this is simply a game of basketball between two humans.”

“#1: Your guidelines say “Female nipples”. I do not identify as “female”. Or “male”. So I am not violating your guidelines,” they continue.

 

DEAR INSTAGRAM: THIS ISNT SEXUAL. Sure, I may have my DD Breasts out. Nipples shining in the sun. But this is simply a game of basketball between two humans. One of those humans is actually a Pro Basketball player (@crissa_ace ) – who’s skills on the court are far more worthy of a stare than my swinging sacks of potential food providing flesh. But before You delete my IG POST let me DD-fend myself: #1: Your guidelines say “Female nipples”. I do not identify as “female”. Or “male”. So I am not violating your guidelines. #2 Even if I did identify as “Female”- “Females” can have Pecs. “Males” can have Breasts. And if You argue only people with pecs are considered “Male” bodied- Pecs can be bigger than Breasts and vice versa. Both can also lactate. Both can also be fetishized. What’s so different? #3 What is considered “nudity” or “naked” changes culturally globally. In some places eye contact direct to camera is considered sexual. Showing your shoulders is considered lewd. Hugs are considered worse than kisses. Etc. Aren’t you a globally reaching company? Who’s opinion is controlling what is considered sexual? Can we have a chat one on one? I wouldn’t have had much of a chance at my career without my IG platform. I’m grateful for this app and what it has done to elevate my opportunities in life. I’m coming TO You. Not AT You. Please consider reviewing the language You use in your guidelines. Either make it so NO one can show their nipples or everyone can. You’re creating a division that’s reinforcing the vulnerable feelings people with breasts already feel. Fear, shame, objectification. Stop targeting “females” specifically. Instead might I recommend addressing INTENTIONS- equally. It’s kind of obvious when someone is creating work with specifically salacious intention. A shirt off is not enough for a conviction. You reach around the world IG. Therefore you can change it- simply by hanging your language. LOVE ALWAYS, Rain Dove #IdenTITTY #genderqueer #lovewins #instagram #theboysarebackintown #genderfluid #lgbtq #womensrights #ThingsYouCANChange #Basketball #DDEFENSE @connor_landhauser PS of this gets deleted I WILL repost every time. @katyperry

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“#2 Even if I did identify as “Female”- “Females” can have Pecs. “Males” can have Breasts. And if You argue only people with pecs are considered “Male” bodied- Pecs can be bigger than Breasts and vice versa. Both can also lactate. Both can also be fetishized. What’s so different?”

“#3 What is considered “nudity” or “naked” changes culturally globally. In some places eye contact direct to camera is considered sexual. Showing your shoulders is considered lewd. Hugs are considered worse than kisses. Etc. Aren’t you a globally reaching company? Who’s opinion is controlling what is considered sexual? Can we have a chat one on one?” they conclude.

To date, the video which was posted on Wednesday still remains on the social media platform.

As well as modelling, Rain Dove is a gender-inclusive campaigner.

 

Androgynous model Rain Dove poses for a portrait in the London Fashion Week venue in Soho in central London on February 23, 2016 (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Rejecting the binaries of male and female, they describe themselves as a “gender capitalist.”

The identity means that the model profits from using both male and female expressions of themselves in order to make money.

 

The androgynous model in action (Rain Dove)

The androgynous model in action (Rain Dove)

“A gender capitalist is someone who takes advantage of opportunities given to people based on their perceived sex or gender,” Dove said in an interview with Bustle.

“When I’m a gender capitalist in the fashion world, I basically can go to any casting that I want to, as long as somebody likes my face.”

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