In a country that seems increasingly tolerant of sex (
See: World Wide Web and cable TV)
A group of lawmakers are trying to turn back time.
Alabama's sexual choice is limited by the 1998 obscene law, which prohibits the sale of "any device designed or sold primarily to stimulate human reproductive organs "---
That is to say, adult sex toys.
In Alabama, neither Viagra nor masturbation is illegal. the penalty for selling sex toys is a fine of up to $10,000 and a year-long hard work.
Shortly after the Alabama state legislature passed the law, mostly male, aimed at banning naked upper body dancing, the American Civil Liberties Union questioned the constitutional nature of the ban.
ACLU acts on behalf of six women who either sell sex toys or claim sex toys for sexual satisfaction needs.
The organization believes that the law violates people's constitutional right to privacy and personal autonomy. U. S.
District Judge Lynwood Smith made a ruling in favor of them last year, saying the law was "too broad" and saying people would be "denied treatment with sexual dysfunction, among other things.
But last month, the state tried to overturn Smith's decision at the Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Alabama attorney general said, "a ban on the sale of sex supplies and related climaxes --
Stimulating instruments are rationally related to legitimate legislative interests that prevent itchy interests in autonomous behavior.
The Court of Appeal unanimously supported the law and, in fact, Alabama's "public moral interest is a legitimate interest in the reasonable service of the law ".
"The only immoral or obscene thing about buying a vibrator is that someone may arrest you for it," said Peper Schwartz, a sociologist at the University of Washington, he submitted a case statement as an expert on sexual intimacy.
"The law is hypocritical and is a form of gender discrimination that reflects women's insecurity about personal sex that has nothing to do with men.
Have they banned Viagra from selling?
Sex therapists tell women to use vibrators, books tell women how to use them, couples use them because many women do not have orgasm during sexual intercourse.
"Research and clinical evidence suggest that many women who have given up hope for orgasm are able to achieve orgasm after using the vibrator, usually at the advice of a sexual therapist.
According to a University of Chicago study on sexual dysfunction in 43%, about 1999 of women experienced sexual dysfunction, including inability to reach orgasm.
* In a complaint against Alabama law, ACLU noted that, it does not prohibit the sale of books such as "one-on-one sex" and "Kinsey Institute's new report on sex" in local bookstores, and the purchase of vibration as a body massager at Wal-Mart-
Supermarket and local mall.
Amy L said that, technically, a condom with a rib is prescribed by law.
Huntsville, Alabama.
Lawyers who worked for the plaintiffs, but the state did not try to chase the business that sold them.
But Montgomery police in Alabama
Herring said she did try to enforce the law when they asked Doris Frederick to stop selling some items in her store.
Frederick put the item back on the shelf when U. S.
The district court overturned the law.
Michael Fees, counsel for ACLU, Herring and Huntsville, is expected to return to the court of appeal in the coming months and plans to ask the court to reconsider the decision of the Court of Appeal.
At the same time, in countries where people have the right to buy guns, they may not have the right to buy vibrators.
"What exactly does this mean?
Psychologist Marty Klein said in his online newsletter Sexual Intelligence.
"Maybe they worry about women driving when they use [vibrators]
"Instead of driving while drinking," Klein wrote . ".
"Or they are worried that women will start giving their partners a higher standard of sex expertise.
Or maybe they worry that women will be so wrapped up in vibrators that they will forget to make dinner or drive the kids to Sunday school.