Just this past May, the Consumer Electronics Show was forced by public pressure to reinstate an award for a sex toy, as detailed in these pages:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/technology/sex-toy-award-vibrator.html
The mainstreaming of sexual toys and devices is long overdue. Even Walmart can see the handwriting on the wall!
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There have been numerous articles recently in this and other news outlets about women-owned, women-designed, and women-run companies specializing in women’s sexual health. Most of these articles are about how these women and their products have been marginalized and worse by mainstream society (from CES to the NY subway).
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to read that when Walmart wanted into this space, they partnered with Clio. After all, what better partner for them in the field of women’s sexual health than a straight, white man who can’t even be bothered to read one book on the history and dynamics of this space. Cue the corporate mansplaining... Sigh...
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Why does no one question why most of the people involved are men. (Oh yes, the author does mention the designers, "several of them women....") Since most of the presumed customers are women, I would have thought Walmart might have sought out a woman-owned company.
In addition to "Good Vibrations", the other store to "normalize" vibrator use is woman-owned "Eve's Garden" in NYC. It was founded by Dell Williams who has her own chapter in Hallie Lieberman's book.
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@Josh Who cares woman owned or not....as long as it works.
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Trust Alabama to lead the way in female repression. I am sure that somewhere in the 'bamian bible there are clear strictures on women's sexuality. It's OK only for those under age, only for chattel, and only for the pleasure of men. Remember, rights only start at conception and end at birth. Women just don't have rights. That's what the bible says, doesn't it?
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I must check my neighborhood Walmart supercenter to see if they have these items. I'm a little surprised they are allowed in SC outside of a sex shop. I also want to see how they are packaged.
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Not surprising that states with a history of outlawing miscegenation (Virginia) and promoting misogyny (Alabama) would miss out on allowing the Ms.-es to buy sexual wellness products.
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The woman owned and operated collective "Good Vibrations" (founded in 1977 sex educator Joani Blank in San Franciso) should be credited with normalizing vibrator use among women. In addition to having a "vibrator museum" of vintage vibrators going back to the 19th century, they eshewed the creepy, porny atmosphere of most "sex shops" and created a "clean, well lit" atmosphere where women could ask questions of informed employees about different sex devices. Jamie Leventhal owes a debt to Joani Blank. Let's all remember to make the important women of history visible and give them their due credit.
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Thank you for this! I was so surprised and puzzled to see an article about “bringing sex toys to the masses” that would name-check the cheesy Doc Johnson but completely leave out any mention of the groundbreaking feminist history AND tremendous commercial success of Good Vibrations.
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