Isn't it rather arbitrary that men and women both have nipples and a man's can be seen in public but a woman's cannot?
Is it because women's nipples have a function and men's are essentially useless that we can see one and not the other? Or is it because since the beginning of time men have policed women's bodies and have decided that they are sexual in nature?
Yep, that's the reason.
Nowhere is this indefensible double-standard more apparent than on social media, where on most platforms a guy can pose shirtless but a woman will have her photos flagged and removed if she does the same.
Actress Amber Heard fought back against this double-standard by taking an artistic photograph of herself from Interview magazine that was removed from Instagram and combining it with a shirtless photo of her "Aquaman" costar, Jason Momoa.
In the removed photo, Heard was photographed wearing a tuxedo jacket with no shirt, exposing one nipple.
View this post on InstagramThe actor @amberheard reveals why she finally caved and got on social media 🤳🏼, and why seeing herself on-screen is like hearing your voice on an answering machine—multiplied by 100 ⛓ in bio. Photographed by @matthew_welch. Styled by @karlawelchstylist.
A post shared by Interview Magazine (@interviewmag) on Sep 6, 2019 at 9:26am PDT
So she reposted it to her Instagram story with Momoa's face and shirtless body wearing Heard's jacket, along with a poll asking her followers: "Is there a difference?"
The two poll options were "Yes, one is art" and "This policy is bullshit."
In honor of IGs rigorous & equitable Community Guidelines v showing the Female nipple & since mine enjoyed the brief privilege afforded 2 my male counterparts,I decided 2 pay homage x posting a pic that DID meet IGs strict nudity guidelines & careful gender policies #FreeTheNipp pic.twitter.com/kijNTgMAJY
— Amber Heard (@realamberheard) October 20, 2019
"In honor of IG's rigorous and equitable Community Guidelines against showing the Female nipple," she wrote, "and since mine enjoyed the brief privilege that's afforded to my male counterparts.. I decided to pay homage by replacing it with a picture that DID meet IG's strict nudity guidelines and such careful gender policies."
She also added the hashtag #FreeTheNipp, signaling a growing movement of people who'd like to see everyone's nipples treated equally.
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Three advertising students in New York have found a clever way to take on the nipple controversy, by creating an Instagram account that shows close-ups of nipples. Up close, it's impossible to tell whether they are male or female.
If they are the same up close, then why are they treated differently from afar?
"Men are allowed to show their nipples, women's get banned ... Let's change this policy!" the page's bio reads.
View this post on InstagramSame same, not different.🌟
A post shared by Genderless Nipples (@genderless_nipples) on Dec 11, 2016 at 8:10am PST
RELATED: The Instagram Account 'genderless-nipples' Has The Social Media Censors Stumped
This isn't the first time Heard's tuxedo photo has stirred controversy.
It was first posted in September and the Instagram account for La Fille d'O, a female owned Belgian lingerie line, reported the photo, but Instagram said it didn't violate its community guidelines.
La Fille d'O was trying to make the point that big-name celebrities can break the nipple laws on Instagram but a smaller clothing line has its photos removed for the same thing.
The lingerie line then asked its followers to also flag the photo for nudity.
This irked Heard who saw it as a backhanded way to fight for women's rights. "Cool cool - love women supporting women!!" she wrote with the hashtag #NotYourBraNotMyProblem.
So ladies, if u ever get nipple shamed u can: a) report other women b) try & organize women 2 gang up on other women who r fighting the same fight c) use ANY of that energy 2, i dunno, change the system u think is so unfair 2 begin with. Go #lafillet #lafilledo ! @tilleysong pic.twitter.com/11hinCAqe6
— Amber Heard (@realamberheard) September 15, 2019
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.