Over the weekend, pantless passengers swarmed Phoenix’s light rail as part of an annual “No Pants Light Rail Ride.” Several children caught up in the risqué event were captured on camera looking dismayed at the scene.
Prominent among the pantless passengers were “furries”: individuals dressed in anthropomorphic animal mascot costumes, complete with mascot heads, furry tails, and furry feet.
Debate still exists over whether the furry community is one based in a sexual fetish.
No! @CityofPhoenixAZ @valleymetro https://t.co/atgwB1gFff
— Zonie🌵 (@PHXAZ1852) January 15, 2024
Other participants took the event as an opportunity to display their more overt fetishes as well. One rider wore bikini-cut leather underwear with a zipper over his genitalia and the word “FETISH” embellished at the top. In a picture capturing the attire, an uncomfortable-looking little girl stands with her hands over her frowning mouth.
There's something really off about this, and we need answers! @CityofPhoenixAZ @valleymetro @PHXDistrict4 https://t.co/bObrUXmypV pic.twitter.com/4QUzxRiqz7
— Zonie🌵 (@PHXAZ1852) January 15, 2024
In another video obtained by The Arizona Daily Independent, a little boy glances over at the pantless passengers and then covers his eyes.
One of the pantless passengers near the little boy loudly proclaimed, “I would walk around naked if I could, legally.” In the video, it appeared that the individual who made that remark was wearing a shirt that said, “What do I have under my kilt, how bad do you want to know.”
In addition to the more traditional skivvies represented — bikini bottoms and boxers — some opted for mankinis and articles of coverings closer to thongs. The exposure occurred despite the event organizers warning against indecent exposure.
“As for outfit choice, I recommend a sewed boxer set for men or double up,” said the Facebook event page description. “This is not a nudist event in the least and indecent exposure is still a real thing. I will not hesitate to have anyone not following the rules removed or reported to police. This is not the event for it and I’m not the guy to try and push.”
The annual affair dates back to 2009, per The Phoenix New Times; its co-founder, Jeff Moriarty, was the director of social media strategy for Sitewire at the time, formerly with Intel Corporation and later the social media directors for the local Fox News channel and Swift Transportation. Moriarty is now the city of Phoenix’s senior IT public information officer.
However, this iteration of the annual takeover came from Michael Maurer, who works for the restaurant and event space Walter Studios. Due to the pandemic, the pantless rides didn’t take place in 2021 or 2022. The event then failed to gain the same enthusiasm last year. Moriarty assisted with the revival of the event this year.
The Churchill in downtown Phoenix played host to the event attendees. Over 200 reported going, with over 1,000 expressing interest, according to a Facebook page for the event.
The pantless passengers also had the option of donating their pants to St. Vincent de Paul.