Gina Heslop
A woman named Tori Jenkins from Tennessee faced an upsetting situation at her apartment complex’s pool. Tori was wearing a one-piece pink bathing suit, which some people there described as a “thong” because it revealed much of her buttocks.
The pool management asked her to either change into something else, cover up with shorts, or leave the pool area. This was despite the fact that she and her fiancé, Tyler Newman, had paid a $300 fee to use the pool and were paying nearly $1000 in monthly rent.
Tyler shared their experience on Facebook, questioning why women’s bodies are overly sexualized and why women are often the ones told to change to make men feel comfortable. He was upset that Tori was embarrassed and shamed for her swimsuit.
When Tori went to the leasing consultant’s office to discuss the issue, she was told to look in the mirror and see for herself how her body looked. The consultant also said that if Tori had children, she would understand why her outfit was considered inappropriate, and that she wouldn’t want her own kids around Tori.
Tori admitted that she has a big butt and that many of her clothes tend to ride up, but she pointed out that it’s a common issue for many people. She felt it was unfair to be singled out for something natural.
Moreover, she was told that her body was too inappropriate for children to be around and that she should not excite teenage boys in the complex.
Tyler was outraged by the treatment Tori received, saying he had never seen a woman disrespected like that. He emphasized that Tori’s feelings and dignity were being placed below the supposed needs of men and boys to control their sexual urges. He said this kind of thinking contributes to rape culture.
After Tyler’s post went viral, Tori received a lot of negative comments, mainly attacking her body. However, she also received support from people who agreed with her stance.
Tori emphasized that no one has the right to make her feel uncomfortable in her own skin or to police her clothing choices. She highlighted that societal rules about how women should look and dress are harmful and give others a free pass to disrespect them based on their appearance.
Despite the negative backlash, Tori and Tyler’s story helped raise awareness about the issue of sexualizing and shaming women’s bodies. They received support from many people who believe that such treatment does not benefit society and needs to change.
