Nova Scotia MLA Lenore Zann is very upset that someone posted on Twitter a nude photo of her.
Normally, I think this would be a significant issue and I’d be fully onside with Zann.
However, the image in question was a screen capture of a scene she appeared in on The L-Word.
In other words, it in an entirely “public” image (in terms of being available to the public, but not in the public domain).
Initially, Zann launched a complaint under the provinces new cyberbullying law, but she has just today withdrawn that complaint. She has, however, dropped her Twitter account.
As I said, I would normally side with Zann on this because I believe that everyone has the right to own their image. But in this instance, the image was already public and now Zann seems to not want to “own” her own image.
Is she ashamed of her past? Did she have a bad experience working on The L-Word? Does she regret that she exposed her body on film?
Or does she think she has to live up to some kind of decorum as a member of government?
The thing is, those who voted for her likely knew she was an actress. Many likely knew she worked on that particular show. And they voted her in. They accepted her. Why the need to erase her past?
Because of our current societal views of our bodies, the shame that is forced on all of us, I do understand Zann’s concern. However, a government figure should lead and she could make a tremendous statement by telling us all, including those who harassed her on Twitter:
“Yes, that is my beautiful, naked body. That was my career then and now I am a member of Nova Scotia’s Legislative Assembly. I am not ashamed, I am proud and I will do a great job in my position.”
