Tuesday, August 15, 2006
New TSA restrictions and sex toys: whither the lube?
The new "no liquids or gels" restrictions mean you can't tote your KY jelly on-board (heavens to Murgatroid, whatever shall we do?), and you may want to think carefully about where you pack that vegan Hello Kitty bluetooth butt plug:
As far as packing non-vibrating sex toys and devices in carry on, use your own common sense. Some items, like nipple clamps and cock rings, may appear innocuous enough to escape a screener's scrutiny. But be aware that security officials are on heightened lookout for anything unusual, and you may find yourself in the awkward position of explaining what a penis pump is for. It's probably better to leave it in your checked luggage than have to mumble something about it being "a medical device" or wing a lame excuse about a "joke gift for a friend." Whatever you do, don't offer a demonstration - that will probably land you on the "no fly" list.Link to "Sex Toy Travel Advisory," dated August 16, 2006. Violet Blue has been covering this topic for years on her blog in detail: Link.If you think you can beat the system by carrying your sex toys on your person, you might want to think again. Of course, you'll have to empty your pockets of anything metal and put the contents in a tray, and anything battery-powered like a vibe will be subject to extra scrutiny. Attempting to wear a strap-on through security is risky as well. The bulge in your crotch is likely to draw attention anyway, and if the harness has any metal rivets or buckles, it will set off the metal detector, and you'll be pulled aside for a pat-down. Likewise for any wearable clit vibrators. The one exception here might be a non-vibrating butt plug, inserted ahead of time. If you enjoy wearing a plug in public, it could help alleviate the tedium of a dull flight and long lines in the terminal.
Reader comment: Cory, who writes about sexuality for About.com, says:
I have to disagree with this advice. If you can deal with looking security in the eye and explaining that that thing in their hand is a sex toy, it's much better than packing it (not the fun kind of packing it, the one where your bag goes out of your site). I have travelled from Canada to the U.S., Mexico, and the UK, dozens of times with sex toys for workshops (and when I'm lucky for personal use) and I know lots of other sex educators who have done the same, and none of us (we're a mix of genders, colours, ages, and tattoedness) have ever had trouble from security. They tend to either be embarrassed or interested. On the other hand I've heard several stories of people's sex toys going missing from checked baggage, and obviously there are the well known cases of people being pulled off a plane for something in their luggage.
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