Love Stuff, a sex toy shop in Hoover, AL, recently filed a challenge to strike down a 1998 law that bans the sale of sex toys. Alas, anyone who wants to buy sex toys in Alabama will have to go elsewhere. The Alabama Supreme Court upheld the state's ban in a 7-2 decision on Friday, arguing against Love Stuff's claim that the ban violated a person's right to sexual privacy.
The Legislature argued that although you can still use your Pearl Rabbit in private, they have the right to ban its public distribution. In a statement that could easily have been written by the satirists of The Onion, the 11th Circuit stated in its majority opinion, "There is nothing 'private' or 'consensual' about the advertising and sale of a dildo."
In arguing that regulating commercial activity is not a private activity (and hence doesn't fall under Love Stuff's challenge that the law is a violation of privacy), Associate Justice Michael F. Bolin claims that the law banning the sale of sex toys is an issue of public morality. Do you see any connection between morality and the sale of sex toys? Does the court's view of sex toys and their sale seem outdated to you?
Early 20
Rick Owens
Citizens of Humanity
Although I have absolutely no problem with this law, I know that most other women probably do. It's funny how any attempt at making anything moral is cast aside as outdated. Yes, it seems that morals are outdated nowadays.
1I don't think morals are outdated. Why is sex always immoral? Shall we ban the sale of lingerie as well?
"Exceptions are given for medical, scientific, educational and other purposes. Love Stuff requires customers to sign a statement declaring their purchase is for one of the listed reasons. "
I did it for science!
2"Associate Justice Michael F. Bolin claims that the law banning the sale of sex toys is an issue of public morality"- You can buy a gun, but not a sex toy?
3I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love being Canadian
Just bought my bday present to myself... Hitachi Magic Wand
oh and Pistill - haha I'd totally write it off as medical... "My Doctor prescribed it..." Which she totally does haha
4Oh wow. This alone would be reason enough for me never to move to Alabama. How backwards can you get?
5Oh, how I do hate generalizations. Please don't ever move here if you can't handle it. Everywhere has the good and the bad. (Not saying we couldn't use some changes. Our constitution sucks.)
Anywho, I think this is ridiculous. I'm from Alabama, and I think this joker needs to go. This has nothing to do with morality. I'm with Pistil, these people need to get with the program and stop being ignorant.
6Why do I have the urge to "Buzz up!" this thread?
7I'm not sure if that was directed at me lavendera - I have no problem with the people of Alabama at all, but that law is so off the charts ridiculous. There are plenty of stupid laws in this country, but the fact that it was upheld is what would keep me from moving to said state. I don't really want to live anywhere that legislates what I can do to myself in the privacy of my bedroom.
8Sorry, Alabama, but you're going to have to take a little "ribbing" on this one! People diss Southern California all of the time, look down their noses at our "superficiality"...fine, go to town, but at least I can buy a new Rabbit here when I need one!
9Just ridiculous.
10jazzy, I'm with you. I'm 15 minutes away from The Toy Box. I think I'll have to stop by!!!
Racism, sexism, Anti-Semitism, and Homophobia = fine
Sex Toys = a morality issue
11Hold on a sec. I live in Alabama and have for the vast majority of my life. They sell sex toys here all the time. My boyfriend is always trying to drag me into Pleasures or Naughty and Spice for a vibrator or Rabbit. Just because there are laws, doesn't mean they're enforced I guess.
12Looks like someone doesn't understand the difference between the state Supreme Court decisions and Federal Circuit decisions...which opinion or appeal is this about? Alabama Supreme Court is a state court and the 11th Circuit is a federal court (Alabama's SC would appeal directly to the US Supreme Court). Are there two different cases? Am I reading this wrong?
13Alabama...
14Well, if you're gonna ban the sale of sex toys, ban sexy underwear, condoms, pre-marital sex and contraception. After all it's all immoral isn't it? *eyeroll*
15Well, if you're gonna ban the sale of sex toys, ban sexy underwear, condoms, pre-marital sex and contraception. After all it's all immoral isn't it? *eyeroll*
Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with the sale of sex toys. It's not immoral or depraved, it's fun, whats wrong with that?
16Sounds like a first amendment issue, unless the Alabama Supreme Court found that the matter is obscene... damn, I can't remember the test for obscenity ... any conlaw scholars ?
17lol @ Southerners.
I'm sure they're also outlawing pornography, which guys use to mastrubate with. Oh, wait, this is the Southern culture of the patriarchy. Female sexuality is going to be dirty and sinful, but pornography is jusy boys being boys.
I spent a decade next door in Mississippi. It's a truly bizarre place.
18What's so immoral about sex in this country!?
I thought that this was one of those laws that just kinda melted away, became outdated, nobody cared but everyone made fun of it, and it might as well not exist any more (like how in Oregon when you get out of jail, you are supposed to be given a horse ride out of town, and in one state fire trucks may not go over 25mph).
19Its all wrong. sex toys should be allowed in every state and every country. Period.
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