This should come as no surprise. Make no mistake. Withholding information that is relevant to sexual decision making when it comes to toy toxicity, means that this is a consent issue. Sex shops themselves serve as a kind of a sex-toy curation service and could theoretically buy healthier selections for their clientele.
But for individuals interested in protecting their own sexual health, the ethics of their suppliers necessarily come under scrutiny. But there are other safety issues at play here as well. Sex toys are not limited to one gender, kink, interest, or sexual orientation but the majority of sex shops which sell them are designed to attract the cis-het male.
This in itself may deter more marginalized folk out of fear of targeted discrimination. For them, those shops may be perceived as unsafe. One anal massager lit from beneath seems to be made of bubble infused, blown glassβalthough this is actually made of shatterproof pyrex, Tamara is quick to point out.
Safety first. Sex-negativity, taboos and shame are also more likely to prevent open and honest communication between clientele and retailers. Consent is a context, it can only take place if the decision is informed, so information is what Other Nature gives, through workshops, home parties and in depth consultations.
The shop is also popular with visiting tourists, notably those from less open cultures, Israel and Turkey. In this no pressure environment even the selling style is consensual. The shop also extends a protective position of the community they serve, by discontinuing business relationships with larger suppliers like Lelo, who recently ran an advertising campaign for their new condom with Charlie Sheenβa celebrity with a well known history of partner violence.
