Burlesque performers in Alberta are celebrating a regulatory change that will allow them to doff their tops on stage without fear of being fined.
The Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission removed uncovered female breasts from its definition of nudity this week.
Until now, burlesque performers could not show their breasts while dancing in bars, only strip clubs.
However, the rule only applied to women and male performers could bare their chests freely.
Burlesque performers thought that was unfair and waged a six-year battle for equality, arguing it was a human rights issue.
The new ruling means performers in bars may go topless and also dance with props or approach customers for tips as long as they have their genitals covered by at least a G-string.
Many burlesque dancers argue that what they do is not the same as stripping, and is grounded in a 150-year-old theatrical tradition dating back to the Victorian era.
"It's sort of a playground for adults to talk about and enjoy and make fun of sex, as well as get entertained, all at the same time," said dancer Raven Virginia.
The problem was that the rules governing the entertainment also seemed to come from Victorian times.
"Your nipple had to be covered, and your side and under-boob had to be covered," explained dancer Holly Von Sinn.
Performers couldn't interact with customers, staff or even each other, and Virginia said they were constantly worried about "a wardrobe malfunction, or somebody slipping up somewhere and all of us getting fined."