"Calendar Girls" type calendar - am I being over sensitive?

[onepieceoflollipop]

Some (female) friends of mine, who happen to be in a group (think WI or similar) have produced a calendar girls type of calendar. It is of course very tasteful and in a good cause, to raise money for a local children's charity.

I do not intend to say anything in rl, as it will come across as critical and petty (or will be perceived as such). Obviously I wish them well in their fundraising attempts.

I just have an uncomfortable feeling about it. It is basically women removing their clothes (albeit "tastefully") so that men (and possibly other women) can pay to buy these pictures and look at their bodies. Perhaps I am being ridiculous here?

Any thoughts, didn't know where else to post this.

I am happy to give the charity the money, but not to have a calendar if that makes sense.

Yeah I see more with men in too - fishermen, lifeboatmen, farmers etc.

On principle I still feel uncomfortable about this (bit the same as going to a male topless bar) but have been known to google image search "Dieux de Stade" when I feel that the world is full of attractive naked women and stumpy wrinkly clothed arsey men.

I don't really see these calendars presenting any particular feminist quandary.

They are not gender specific, are not really about objectifying women. To me they seem a way for ordinary people, with normal bodies to talk back to a pornified culture.

I wouldn't call them "empowering", but then I wouldn't call many things that, certainly not something as inconsequential as being photographed in the nip.

Yes the Dieux du Stade calendar sure can mess with one's principles

My rugby team did one last year, quite tongue in cheek and raised a lot of money. I think the charity ones seem to be more evenly matched in terms of men and women and mostly in fun and totally voluntary so I don't really have a problem. DdS though, is soft porn. Can't justify it but... [drool emoticon]