This X-ray is from Twitter user @grawly who recently livetweeted his trip to the ER to extract a vibrating dildo from his butt. Next time, may we recommend a toy with a flared base?
Archive for the ‘Sex in the News’ Category
Life Lessons in Choosing a Butt Toy
Friday, March 8th, 2013Will the EU Ban Pornography?
Thursday, March 7th, 2013Is the EU getting set to ban pornography? If so, what types of media would the ban cover? Can you be arrested for submitting to YouPorn? Will you be fined for your Tumblr of buttsex GIFs? Wired has the full story.
Does Size Matter to the TSA?
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
When travelling with sex toys in your carry-on bag, does size matter? After reading this piece in NY Mag, we’re still not sure. They quote a New York Post article which says:
“The TSA acknowledges that there’s nothing illegal about traveling with the devices. Vibrators and dildos are OK in carry-ons, as long as they’re under 7 inches long, TSA rules say.”
But when NY Mag contacted the TSA for clarification, the spokesperson said there was no 7″ rule. So which is it? We’ve had our own frustrations trying to get answers from the TSA (We’re still waiting). The author suggests packing toys that feature a travel lock, so they don’t activate in your bag and trigger a bomb scare. And we know for a fact that the Njoy Eleven is considered a no-no.
Until we get straight answers, we’re going to assume that there’s always a risk of public embarrassment when traveling with sex toys. Luckily, some folks are into that sort of thing.
We-Vibe Goes Mainstream
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
Makers of the We-Vibe have announced that you’ll soon be able to buy the innovative couples’ toy in drugstores.
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be looked at in the same wholesome category” as other upscale drugstore consumer electronics, said Danny Osadca, CEO of Standard Innovation, the Ottawa-based company that makes the We-Vibe.
This is yet another sign that adult toys are going mainstream, as Americans embrace products like the We-Vibe as part of a healthy and fulfilling sex life. The article also mentions that We-Vibe is expanding into previously untapped markets in Russia and South America. Will we see more adult toys on drug store shelves soon?
Carry a Condom & Go To Jail
NYPD’s War On Sex Workers
Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
Did you know that you can be arrested for carrying condoms in New York City? This outrageous fact comes courtesy of a Vice article about the NYPD’s criteria for identifying potential sex workers. In practice, not just anyone is targeted by the police for such arrests.
But say you’re a sex worker or a queer kid kicked out of your home. Say you’re a trans woman out for dinner with your boyfriend. Maybe you’ve been arrested as a sex worker before. Maybe some quota-filling cop thinks you look like a whore.
Then you’re not safe at all.
The article points out that New York City distributes free condoms to promote safe sex, but also uses them as evidence for arrests. How can the same city punish people for trying to protect their own health? A proposed law to ban the use of condoms as evidence by police and prosecutors was introduced in 1999, but hasn’t gotten enough support. Advocates for the rights of sex workers are hoping to change that. You can find out more here.
Is 3D Printing the Future of Sex Toys
Monday, March 4th, 2013If you’ve been following technology news, you’ve probably heard about 3D printing, a process that turns digital models into solid, three-dimensional objects. In recent months, the media has reported on everything from 3D printed tools and guns to livers, ears and entire houses.
Adult industry site Xbiz recently polled members about the future of 3D printing and the adult toy industry. They asked “Will 3D printing revolutionize sex toys similar to VHS’ impact on adult movies?” As of last week, the responses were pretty divided with 37% saying “Yes,” 29 percent answering “No,” and 34% responding that they are unaware of 3D printing technology.
Nobody asked us, but we’re confident that 3D printing is an exciting new development that holds promise for adult toys. Last November, the company 3DEA opened a pop-up shop in New York allowing customers to make a personalized silicone replica of their own penises. The price was $250, more expensive than the trusty DIY “Clone a Willy” kits we sell, but the whole process sounds fascinating and the results are pretty cool. Unfortunately the 3DEA pop-up shop has closed and we don’t know when they’ll pop-up next.
The 3D printed Velv’Or J’Naja
In the meantime, if you’re curious about this technology, the Velv’Or J’Naja is a nifty cock ring, made of nylon-fiber and produced on a 3D printer. Is this the shape of things to come?
BDSM in the New York Times
Friday, March 1st, 2013
As readers of our blog know, kink is coming out of the closet. With the Fifty Shades series sparking a revolution in American bedrooms, BDSM is going mainstream. There’s no better evidence of this than a lengthy trend piece in the New York Times this week that claims kinky sex is a “Hush-Hush Topic No More.”
Do you agree? Are you kinky? Are you open about your sexuality? Or do you keep it a secret from your friends, family and co-workers? Tell us anonymously (or not) in the comments below!
There’s a Penis Museum in Iceland
Thursday, February 28th, 2013
The Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavik has a collection of 283 penises “and related artifacts.” Science journalist Ferris Jabr took a tour and had the good sense to bring a camera. By the way, that’s an elephant penis you’re looking at.
Tristan Taormino on Feminist Porn
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013Last week, we highlighted Sinnamon Love’s contribution to the The Feminist Porn Book: The Politics of Producing Pleasure. Now there’s a great interview on Salon with the book’s editor Tristan Taormino, discussing her experiences in the porn industry and the ongoing debates within feminism about the potential for porn. It’s worth reading. Also, check out this excerpt from a video interview with Taormino when she visited our store in 2011.
Raw Cooking
Monday, February 25th, 2013
Got a taste for vegan food? Find aprons too restrictive? Check out Naked Vegan Cooking, a blog devoted to the art of making tasty vegan vittles in the buff. While we can’t yet vouch for their recipes, we admire these naked chefs. If you can’t take the heat, strip before entering the kitchen.
h/t Buzzfeed
