On Feb. 13th, 2008, a Texas federal appeals court ruled that the prohibition against selling dildos and fake vaginas violated the 14th Amendment.
That’s right. Such sex toys were illegal in Texas until early last year. According to a Slate article, they are still illegal in three other states: Virginia, Mississippi, and Alabama.
But don’t congratulate or castigate Texas just yet. The state Attorney General wants the court to reconsider.
Here is an entertaining 11-minute discussion of the dildo debates in Texas (it’s a must watch):
Comments 4
David — January 12, 2009
This is a great example of the power of terminology in both a cultural and legal context. It is also damn funny to boot.
altairian — January 12, 2009
My favorite part: "No, it's just a butt-plug. You can put anything in your butt."
Ah, Texas...
Village Idiot — January 14, 2009
Your tax dollars at work... Sigh.
All the dildos in Texas, Virginia, Mississippi, and Alabama are concentrated in their respective State Capitols, and the same is largely true for all other States as well. Or am I getting dildos confused with butt-plugs again? Hmm...
As long as the government keeps interfering with the sexual behavior of consenting adults (or just one going solo) the phrase "Big Brother is watching you" will be especially disconcerting.
Kayla — January 22, 2009
As a sex toy enthusiast in Virginia, I have to say that buying them is not at all a problem. Stores have to put up a sign saying that their products are jokes, marital aids, or for educational purposes only. That's all that the laws do.