Let’s take a closer look at what they featured, so you can check out these toys and learn more about them for yourself.

	SEX TOYS A finger tingler like Fukuoku 9000 Laya Spot Vibrator Like this pleasure commander? The Neptune Ring Vibe We-Vibe Couple’s Vibrator Need advice for choosing a vibe? Check out our article, “How to Choose the Right Vibrator FOR YOU.”
	LUBRICANTS! Silicone-based lube Swiss Navy Silicone-based lube Pjur Silicone-based lubes like Amorist, the Pink Silicone Lube. Glycerin-free like Sliquid Glycerin-free like Hathor Aphrodisia Check out more Glycerin-free lube and Silicone lubes.
	EROTICA / PORN Jenna Jameson is The Masseuse Candida Royalle The Bridal Shower Candida Royalle Eyes of Desire Tristan Taormino’s reality porn, Chemistry Series Violet’s film recommendations in an excerpt from The Smart Girl’s Guide to Porn

Also, couldn’t help but notice that this list was missing some gay porn — yes women love gay porn too — and also real queer porn too!

• Tony Comstock’s Damon & Hunter
  
• Courtney Trouble’s Roulette
• And check out sex ed videos like Bend Over Boyfriend and Maximizing G-spot Pleasure
  

EROTICA / SEX BOOKS Anne Rice Beauty’s Punishment Check out some of our favorite educational and erotic reads: Susie Bright’s X: The Erotic Treasury Violet Blue’s Best Women’s Erotica 2009 Rodger Jacobs’ Ebony Erotica Annie Hooper, author of Kama Sutra

We love our sex literature here at Good Vibrations, so here’s some more books to add to the pile. If Oprah had a sex book club, it would probably include Jay Wiseman’s “Tricks to Please a Man” and “Tricks to Please a Woman“. There’s “Never Have the Same Sex Twice” and the Hot Sex Handbook. Em & Lo wrote the book “Sex Toy“. And for a good tantra book check out “Urban Tantra“. Sadie Allison’s “Tickle His Pickle” is a good read for heterosexual/bisexual women. On the other hand, there’s “The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus” and if you’re interested in checking out books written by sex workers, don’t miss Dr. Annie Sprinkle’s “Spectacular Sex“.

It seems like ages ago that I was sitting in the Olivia headquarters in San Francisco, exploring the bright idea of bringing Good Vibrations aboard an Olivia cruise.  For those of you who don’t know, Olivia is the oldest and coolest lesbian cruise company in the world.  (Excepting maybe the Greeks, but their marketing was dicey so I can’t comment for sure.)  What began as a music label evolved into a series of retreats, resorts, and cruises, all featuring diverse entertainment, education, and of course travel, exclusively for women.  We put our brains together and they welcomed us aboard their Halloween Caribbean cruise to introduce their fine women to the wonders of Good Vibrations and Dr. Carol Queen.  So months later, here I am, sitting in a stateroom perched off of Key West, contemplating what a brilliant union this is.

This morning Carol held her first workshop, “Sexual Communication for Couples” and to be honest, at 10 a.m. I wasn’t expecting a full house.  But sure enough, the big theatre filled up and couples and singles alike sat in rapt attention while Carol broke it down.  There was a lot of laughter and nodding of heads in agreement.  After introducing Good Vibrations, myself, and finally Carol, I took a seat in the back where I could witness the reactions.  Knowing squeezes and good-natured ribbing rippled through the crowd when she described what doesn’t work in communicating with a partner and gave suggestions for building the flame. At the end of the lecture I handed out coupons for online shopping and the sisters were eager to put the lesson into practice.  We have six more events and I was told that we may need a bigger venue.  Now that’s what I like to hear!

After the morning lesson, Carol and were given tickets for two different trolley rides through Key West, and I enjoyed an insightful and hilarious tour of Key West’s formidable gay history.  Across town on her own tour, Carol was delighted by the 6-toed cats at Hemingway’s old house, offspring from his original collection.  I also managed to scope out the only adult store on Key West, a large and chaotic series of rooms that is probably very entertaining after several margaritas, but difficult to navigate while sober.  However, I was intrigued by the “head orgasm machine” – 8 prongs of wire that slide over one’s head (atop your neck) and give a delightful massage/tickle.  This one had a vibrator attached to the top, so presumably it was even more awesome, but the display model was busted and I figured it was just as well.  I’ll make my own MacGyver-style one of these days when I get some free time.  Actually, that would be kind of a cool art show, wouldn’t it?  Repurposed vibrators.  Hmmm…kind of like tricked-out low rider bicycles, yeah.  Artists, get your vibrators ready!

Anyway, tonight I’ll be representing GV at the Curve deck party, providing three delightful dildos for their ring toss.  Those lesbians are so crafty!  It’s a lovely group of women who are in full vacation mode and it’s impossible not to be inspired.  Good Vibrations and Olivia are definitely bringing pleasure to the people, and the fun has just begun!

I luv teh interwebs

At LELO, she handled the sleek Iris Vibrator, the silky-soft GiGi Vibrator (which she quickly determined was much stronger than the Iris, and finally fell in love with the Mia Vibrator for it’s strong vibrations. Click on over to Switched.com and scroll down to watch the video.

Porn Star Belladonna Picks Top Sex Tech LELO Sex Toys

She also got to check out a couples’ vibrator — one that WE love VERY much — the We Vibe. (Misty wrote about the internal/external vibrator when we first picked it up for our stores last year, and also lists some tips for using it in “We Love the We-Vibe“.

Here’s what Belladonna found, talking with creator Bruce Murison. Don’t be surprised if you see the We-Vibe popping up in one of her movies soon.

http://www.switched.com/2009/01/17/sex-gadget-dispatch-we-vibe/

Related Products at Good Vibrations:

LELO Iris
LELO GiGi
LELO Mia
We-Vibe

&

Belladonna’s Videos

This is a sales pitch to those of us who make economical choices when we buy sex toys. Those of us who review toys are up to our eyeballs in fancy vibes, though 99% of it is in the under $100 range. We still want the cool shit! Toys over $100 are usually on the “Yeah Right That’s a Fuck Load of Money” end of the spectrum for me. But this changes when there’s a sale. Enough to browse around on the site again. To click “sort by price” and actually sort it from highest to lowest instead of starting on the cheap end.

25% is a lot off the price of an item, especially when that item is really really really expensive. (Heck, it’s a lot of the price of an item when it’s ridiculously affordable, too.) As someone who actually works here at Good Vibrations, I’m used to getting some discounts on sex toys. Something my friends would be extremely jealous of, if it weren’t for the fact that I like to shower them with sex toy presents.

I’m not gonna bother posting the YVa (the Gold Vibrator that is now only $1125… I figure if you’re going to buy it you probably don’t mind paying the full price.) There are some new toys that have come in to the stores that are really exciting. I’ll just name a couple, because really, ALL the toys at GV are exciting. Old and New alike.

Okay, that said, here’s those awesome new ones. ; )

La Femme Harness – It has Pink Zipper details, and those ruffles? They’re also leather. Too hot.

$126.75 On Sale

This gorgeous and well-made, quality leather harness is an irresistible combo of feminine sensibilities and tough durability. Pink zippered edging frames the front and back pieces, accented by ruffles made of thin leather for a sexy, girly look. Two pink bows top off each back strap at the waist but this harness is more than just a pretty face! Metal buckles on the waist and back-straps allow for a personalized fit and includes two interchangeable O-rings (1 1/2” and 1 3/4”), which are held in place by three leather buckles. Who says pretty can’t be tough? Fits up to 44”, Black and Pink Leather and Ribbon.

Eleven Dildo – Also hot, or cold… ah the temperature play with metal!

$225.00 On Sale

Another gorgeous stainless steel dildo from Njoy, Eleven can be used either vaginally or anally and is the perfect choice for fans of girth and extreme penetration. Weighing in at 2.75 pounds, the Eleven is great for Kegel exercises and has a special curve allowing for excellent G-Spot or prostate stimulation. Ripples along the shaft are designed to provide extra stimulation, and since Eleven is made of stainless steel, it can be heated or cooled adding more pleasure along the way. Eleven can be used for penetration on either end, making it perfect for solo or partner play, and it’s material makes clean up a breeze. Includes a leather carrying pouch. 11” x 2” , silver stainless steel.

Milky Way – you know how glass dildos kinda look like glass bongs? Well, this one does too. A really really really good looking one.

$168.75 On Sale

Get ready to blast off to the Milky Way with this exquisite smooth glass dildo that features beautiful, swirling cascades of multi-colored Dichroic just beneath its surface. The subtle curve and bulbous head make it perfect for G-Spot stimulation and the flared base allows for vaginal or anal play. Besides its cosmic good looks, Milky Way can also be heated or cooled with water for some out-of-this-world sensation play. Each Milky Way is also a truly unique piece as the Dichroic colors will slightly vary during its creation process. 7” x 1 1/4”. Multicolored Borosilicate.

There are also TONS of Books and DVDs — and the sale also includes VOD titles. So why are you still reading this? Go make your holiday wish list right now, and tell your loved ones to buy it before the weekend’s over!

Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of the smooth muscles of the digestive system. Sometimes, the anus is held so tightly that it misses out on these contractions. We might hold too tightly in this part of the body for any of a number of reasons, but whatever the cause, it can hinder arousal, make anal play less pleasant, and just be uncomfortable.

When you insert the Peridise (use plenty of lube, please!), it gently stimulates the anal muscles to relax and reconnect to the peristaltic reflex. It also increases blood flow to the anus, which can heighten arousal and create some amazing sensations. It feels amazing on its own or when combined with genital stimulation, whether solo or with a partner. And unlike the Aneros, which is specifically designed for men, the Peridise can be enjoyed by anyone.

When you purchase the Peridise, you’ll get two models of slightly different sizes. Unlike most anal toys, the larger one is the starter one. Think of how much easier it is to hold a pen than a needle and you’ll understand why. The Peridise is made of hard plastic, so clean-up is a breeze and you can use any of our lubricants with it.

One of the most common issues when it comes to anal play is learning to relax the anus. Not only the Peridise slim enough to be easily inserted, even by a beginner, but it will help you learn to relax the anus and become more familiar with the sensations that anal play can offer. Folks with more experience with any play will be surprised at how much pleasure this toy can offer. Whether you’re new to anal play or a backdoor expert, you’ve never felt anything quite like the Peridise!

Stay tuned (and follow us) for future polls, in the meantime, here’s what they had to say:

“The LELO Gigi when I know where the charger is.”

“My favorite sex toy is the Leo by Vixen Creations…followed closely by the Vixskin…yum yum! ”

“I have to say Njoy’s Pure Wand is the most wonderful toy I own. Followed closely by the Eleven. Oh yeah, the Eleven.”

“darlings!! adjustable nipple clamps for THIS trans-gurl … either for me OR any self-described str8 guy who gets hard with pinched nipples”

“right now the randy “

“the Pure Wand from NJoy. Mine’s named after Thor’s hammer.”

“Pure Wand!”

“The Hitachi Magic Wand”

“Favorite ever my flexi g spot wand thingy. Most fun ever.”

“my favorite so far is probably the Onye for clit, Fun Factory Tiger for penetration (subject to change at whim) and hemp rope.”

“For the moment? Fun Factory’s Delight”

“If the Hitachi is a given, like @tastytrixie says, then my fav is the Eleven. Oh, and lube too. But that’s also a necessity”

“The Hitachi Magic Wand is the toy I would never live without if only allowed one sex toy. More of a necessity than a fave.”

“That’s easy. The bullet. Portable and discreet. A friend till the end.”

Find LELO’s Gigi, Njoy’s Pure Wand and Eleven, adjustable nipple clamps, Hitachi Magic Wand, Fun Factory’s Delight, bullet vibes, and many other favorites at GoodVibes.com.

Thank you to those who were online yesterday and @Replied to our Twitter poll!

JuicyJustine

nc17ofburlesque

urban_gypsy

sabinatgurl

Angrydyke

erika_carnea

Dangerous_Lilly

amosbynite

Weebeasty

CelticFrog

duckydoo

jezinyoureye

tastytrixie

DamesandBroads

Hi Molly and CeeCee,

I have always wanted to ask this question, but never quite knew where I could ask it, and then I thought of you two. Who better to ask than friends at Good Vibrations! So, here it goes.

I am a straight male; I am in my late 30’s and have always wondered about cock rings. Like how do they work, and what do they do, and don’t only gay guys use those? I like my girlfriend to play with my nuts and she said there are cock rings that could do that too. Is that true? How would that work exactly? Hoping to get in the know soon!

Thanks Ladies,
Ready to Get Ringed

Hi, Ready to Get Ringed!
Thanks for contacting us with your very popular question! We have lots of guys who are interested in these fun and functional devices so lets dive right in shall we?

Basically cock rings work on the hydraulics of how a guy gets an erection. You get aroused, and blood fills the spongy tissue in the shaft of the penis, causing lift and growth. The cock ring is usually worn at the base of the penis, behind the scrotum. Some people prefer to wear their ring at the base of the penis only, so it’s really up to what suits you and what feels good. The ring is going to restrict blood from flowing out of the erect penis, which creates sensations of tightness and pressure. Lots of guys like this feeling, and use rings for sensation play. Some people wear cock rings because they are super sexy and can provide clitoral stimulation for a female partner during penetrative sex!

So, how does a guy choose a ring you ask? Read on Grasshopper, wisdom awaits!

We suggest new cock ring users to start out with an adjustable ring. This means a ring that is not solid, like a solid rubber, nitrile or steel ring. Adjustable rings can be removed very quickly and easily if you feel the need to get the ring off. Usually these rings have snaps or Velcro™ and are inexpensive. A very sexy little number we carry is our Leather Cock Ring. We love the smooth leather strap with chrome snaps that will snuggle up to you like a dream lover! A fancy variation on this theme (that is so popular we can barely keep it in stock) is our new kid on the block, the Perfect Pair Ring. They say good things come in small packages and this little package will have your package up and ready for play in no time! Let’s begin with a simple leather band that is the cock ring part. Add in an extra loop to slip in a Magic Touch Mini vibe and let the games begin! The small waterproof vibe can be worn either facing up on the shaft of the penis for direct clitoral stimulation during intercourse, or, turn the ring upside down and have the bullet vibrating your balls for a very pleasant change of buzz. And ladies, here is a little secret — snap this onto the shaft of a dildo! Now you have a dildo plus a vibe, equaling a fun addition to your toy box. Try it on your wrist during vaginal or anal fisting! THAT’LL get the bed bucking don’t you think Molly?

Vibrating rings are certainly something that can perk up lovemaking. Most women need direct clitoral stimulation during intercourse to achieve orgasm. With a name like Screaming O Vibrating Ring, getting to that point is going to be a cake walk. Just make sure the windows are closed because there is going to be a lotta bumpin’, humpin’ and smiling’ happening with this cutie. Customer have been asking for this disposable cock ring for a while, and we finally found a good quality ring for our favorite people — YOU! The ring is soft and stretchy, so it’s comfortable to wear. The small vibe on the ring is super quiet and has a nubby textured silicone coat on it. The soft texture is perfect for grinding up on and with the not-too-strong vibration, the wearer and receiver are going to be glassy-eyed and weak-limbed after a love fest with this happy little toy.

For the crème de la crème of vibrating cock rings, we love, love LOVE the tried and true Hands Free Cyber Ring. If you like having the best of the best, you have to get this! It’s decked out in softskin, which feels very much like the real thing, in a very good way, plus you get some extras! The ring part has a probe with a curved tip at one end and a textured pad probe at the opposite end. It might look like something from The X-Files, but once you try this out, you are going to be out-of-this-world on a pleasure cloud. What makes this so dreamy is the squishy material — they don’t call it softskin for nothing! Slide this down your lubricated penis, turn on the one-touch mini vibe and slide right into your pleasure zone! Gentle vibrations will keep things heated up during penetrative play, and women can grind, rub, mash, press or slide their clit on that textured pad for mind-blowing orgasms. Guys will get their groove on as well, with the sensation of a warm and soft ring, with sexy, tingly oh-yeah-baby pressure on the scrotum and perineum, (which is that super sensitive bit of smooth skin between the anal opening and the scrotal sac). This sweet little lover will caress all your favorite places and there will be smiles all around! Try it out!

Lots of guys like the sensation of gentle squeezing, tugging or stretching of their balls. Well, we got that covered too! May we present the steamy and very sexy Double Crown. This hottie will lift and separate the balls, as well as the penis, for a dramatic effect that will make your package stand proud! Great for oral sex, especially around the scrotum as the pressure from the straps will increase sensation. Test drive this during a solo sex session and then surprise your partner with the dress-down formal wear look. Black leather and chrome snaps, everything up and out — the word for that is YUMMY!

Sex Toys: Cock Rings: Titan RingsWe are very proud to present a brand new line of advanced-user rings. Beyond elegant, our Titan Rings are the jack-pot of the cock ring lotto. We have brushed stainless steel rings in four different sizes for your enjoyment. These rings are worn by slipping your balls into the ring first, then sliding the head and shaft of your penis through the ring and wear the item at the base of your shaft. James Bond step aside! This look will have your special Pussy Galore purring in your hand. Black tie not required during an evening wearing a Titan Ring, unless that is the only thing you are left wearing after your Sweetie tears your clothes off! Get one of these for any special occasion, and see what develops! Wink, wink…

*For more information about cock rings, see our Info Desk pages:
About Cock Rings
About Metal Cock Rings

Hi Good Vibes,

I hope your holiday season has been a real treat. I have been shopping at your store for years and am so happy I can use your web site, since I no longer live in the Bay Area. My boyfriend and I are in a monogamous relationship, which is a first for me. Now we are also long distance. He had a great job opportunity and had to move overseas.

I will be with him after about a year, but in the meantime we are exploring phone and internet sex, and lots of fantasies. Can you send some suggestions my way about some hot toys and things that would work well for a solo guy who is missing his man? You are amazing.

Xoxox.

Best,
Phone Sex Phil

Dear Phone Sex Phil,

Thank so much for writing in and sharing your story. Molly and I have been eyeing our boys’ toys, just waiting for someone to ask for assistance. Molly and I think it is just wonderful that you and your partner came to us for suggestions. We love to share our hot, sexy ideas and we hope our suggestions will spark some fantasy ideas of your own.

Our Ecsta-Sleeve Kit is a must-have for any man who is looking to get off. Fantasies will abound with the supple softskin material, which warms up to body temperature with contact. Take your pick between the Ecsta-Sleeve Lavender with a vulva-shaped opening or the Ecsta-Sleeve Blue with an anus-shaped opening. Both styles come with ravishing ridges strategically aligned along the inside of the sleeve, providing waves of pleasure and stimulus to the user. As with all our GV Kits, we have your best interest in mind, and added an unforgettable Magic Mini Bullet Vibe. Who needs a genie when you have a Magic Mini? Ladies aren’t the only ones who can appreciate some good vibrations, if you know what we mean. Anyone can use a vibrator in places where it feels good. Consider trying a small vibrator on the tip of the penis, on the balls or nipples.

Our Maven Sleeve is one of our newest editions to the boy-toy roster. This silken elastomer toy is simply luscious, with its scattered nubs for added stimulation, and its snug fit for added control of sensation. This masturbator is topped off with an enclosed head creating an added bonus of suction. A vibrator can still be used at the end closest to the penis to provide some out-of-this world sensation. Wow, what a sleeve — CeeCee wishes she could use one.

Your boyfriend and you may want to try a pump or two. We carry pumps as fun toys that provide yummy sucking sensation rather than as medical devices. Pumps will not permanently increase the size of your “rocket man,” and we don’t recommend wearing them for more than 15 minutes at a time. Now that we got that out of the way we can talk more about what they can do. The Fireman’s Pump is a steal, well within the $20 range; the tugging that the pump provides can lead to some rocking, and your man is going wish he was a knocking on your door. We carry pumps because some men find the tugging and sucking sensation the pump provides irresistible. Pumps are mainly drawing blood to the area being pumped. As the areas (penis, nipples or clit) begin to swell with blood, they can become enlarged or swollen. The increase in size is temporary. Some men find the pumping it up is so pleasurable they don’t last as long. Others find that they last longer with the pump.

Our Pump-One Hand is one of the strongest pumps around. CeeCee only wishes her vacuum had as much suction power as the Pump-One Hand. If you are looking for a way to remember your lover’s plump lips on your nipples, try the Pump-One Hand with the Nipple/ Clit Cylinder. Your nipples will thank you! And, the Penis Cylinder combined with the Pump-One Hand is a force to be reckoned with. The heavy-duty Lucite cylinder comes equipped with a flared bottom that acts as a built in cock ring.

If your old man wants to travel light, than we have the perfect thing for him. Our own Hand Cream won’t let him down during a marathon phone-sex session. This stroke cream will keep him chafe-free and moisturized. We piled in a combo of amazing all-natural ingredients, including Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E.

Books and videos are a great way to get the fantasy juices going. Our latest gay erotica collection of short stories, Truckers: True Gay Erotica, has some of the hottest one-handed reads we have seen in some time. Imagine yourself on a long windy highway with a truck-stop in your sights and an itching in your pants. CeeCee just couldn’t get enough of this book and its steamy men and delicious scenarios. Threesomes, first-times and romps that truckers could only tell about await you!

Thank you so much for writing in. CeeCee and I both hope you two have amazing time exploring your fantasies, and your relationship!

Wow! What a hot session this has been! Guys and girls, we hope you have a better handle on how to handle your love-handle with rings, sleeves and pumps…OH MY! Dorothy was never this lucky, was she?

Molly and I love hearing from our fans and readers and hope you will send us your Call Center Confessions right away! We are standing by at advice@goodvibes.com.

Kisses!
Molly and CeeCee

In February 2002, 36-year-old Renee Koutsouradis was seated next to her husband on her connecting flight at the Dallas airport when she was paged over the intercom. The baggage handlers had noticed that one of her checked suitcases was making a strange sound — it was vibrating. She met with Delta personnel on the tarmac (in view of many fellow passengers) and explained that the noise was from a vibrator in which she’d unwittingly left the batteries. It was a sex toy Renee and her husband had picked up on their vacation to Las Vegas. The airline personnel had Renee hold the vibrator up for everyone to see, and they laughed hysterically, making sexually harassing comments such as, “Doesn’t your husband satisfy you?” while passengers and employees watched. Renee brought suit against Delta for discrimination by an air carrier on the basis of sex.

The type of discrimination and humiliation Renee endured is thankfully rare, but every sexual traveler can potentially be the victim of minor ordeals and tense moments. Sex toys scanned by X-ray machines get removed from bags for examination. Metal detectors pick up piercings in private areas, and their owners are subjected to extended searches. And if your gender does not appear to match the gender identity on your driver’s license or passport, you may be in for a long delay — or worse. The simple answer to these potential problems would be to travel sans sex toys or to change how you dress or appear for travel. But what if you’re going on a long trip, having a wild weekend, a romantic week away or can’t (or don’t want to) change who you really are?

Make the first thing you pack your self-assurance. It’s reasonable — and expected — that airlines will be alert for questionable items. But as Good Vibes’ staff sexologist Dr. Carol Queen states, “it is highly inappropriate, and potentially an act of sexual harassment, for an airline staffer to make a public issue of finding an intimate object in a customer’s bag.” What if it were a pack of tampons they were examining? You have just as much right to have a dildo in your luggage as you do any personal care item; it is not dangerous, and it is improper for anyone to make it public. Remember that airport and airline personnel are engaging in harassment should they humiliate anyone in regards to sexual matters — be it for condoms, tampons or a strap-on harness in your baggage.

Next on your sexual traveler checklist should be your common sense. Don’t put sex toys in your carry-on baggage unless you absolutely have to. Remember that if they’re confiscating toenail clippers and eyebrow tweezers, they’re definitely not letting you bring the fuzzy handcuffs, leather flogger or unusually shaped vibrator on the plane. Don’t put anything in your carry-on you aren’t willing to part with if security decides it’s potentially dangerous (even if you believe their decision is uninformed, you won’t be in any position to argue if you want to make your flight).

Remove the batteries from all battery-operated devices — even if you think they’re difficult to turn on. The new push-button pulsing vibes are especially easy to accidentally turn on and tiny toys powered by watch batteries (like the Fukuoku) are easy to forget about. Even if a vibe doesn’t buzz in your bag, if it accidentally starts it can get hot enough after a while to cause problems. Dildos are less of a problem because they’re generally made of silicone or jelly rubber and have no mechanical parts. Dildos made of glass will require special packaging concerns — wrap them well in soft cloth. Strap-on harnesses usually have metal buckles or D-rings; and “packing” or wearing a harness with metal fixtures is not recommended. Stow harnesses in your check-in luggage, along with any and all S/M toys. You’ll want to err on the side of caution in order to avoid explaining your choices in personal items — and possible loss of very expensive sex toys!

Traveling with piercings has proved so bothersome for some folks I interviewed that when traveling they remove their piercings and pack ‘em away with their socks and swimsuits. That’s one option — but if you can’t or don’t want to remove your piercings, you have a couple of options. Some piercings won’t set off metal detectors (like ones made of gold), but most will. Be prepared for uninformed security personnel to single you out and possibly search you completely. Be calm and explain that you have genital or nipple piercings. Prepare yourself for your trip by carrying a drawing or photograph of your piercing to show security, but remember that on heightened alert the security personnel will likely need to see the piercing(s) for themselves — in which case they will assign a same-sex officer to take a look. The security team is justifiably trying to ensure the safety of your fellow passengers, but if you feel they behave inappropriately, complain loudly and state clearly that they are doing so — making a private issue public may protect you.

Traveling when you do not appear as the gender on your identification is much more tricky than remembering to take the batteries out of your vibrator. Because of the post 9/11 Patriot Act, transsexuals, FTMs and MTFs in transition, cross-dressers, butch dykes who appear masculine, and people who simply don’t look one obvious gender or another all face issues of proving their identity when getting on a plane. If your driver’s license says “F” and you look like an “M,” you’ll have some explaining to do. With the Patriot Act, when they run your license through at the airport, it automatically links to all other federal databases, and if there are any discrepancies, again you’ll have some explaining to do — and a possible delay.

Explaining your situation isn’t always easy. You will be pulled aside and questioned, and it’s wise to think through what you’ll want to say before you go to the airport so you can remain calm. Your sailing will be the smoothest if you do everything you can to travel with the correct information. If you’re lucky enough to encounter understanding security guards, that will help, too. Some airports have security personnel that have undergone sensitivity training (hope for this!) and even if they haven’t, they will eventually accept your situation. People in transition from one gender to another will want to travel with a letter from their therapist explaining that they are in transition, and be sure to have contact information for the therapist on the letters in case the security personnel are required to cross-check.

Be aware of the customs and social mores of the place you are traveling to. In Texas, they won’t look kindly at a suitcase full of vibrators (possessing more than three is currently illegal in that state). In devoutly Catholic countries, it is considered a crime against nature to appear as a different gender than that on your ID; for instance, in Columbia it is illegal to dress/act/present as the incorrect sex — they will jail you. Japan is equally unsympathetic to gender issues. Carry the phone number for your country’s embassy or consulate on you at all times. While you still may have to pray for sensitivity training for our American diplomatic staff, some embassies (such as Thailand, Brazil and the Philippines) are aware and understanding toward gender issues.

So don’t put off that sex-drenched vacation! Travel smart, and for more information about legal issues at your destination of choice, call or e-mail the friendly staff at the best sex hotline in the nation, San Francisco Sex Information. Special thanks to the exquisite Theresa Sparks of San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission.

We closed the submissions process in September so we could prepare to display the entries and get them ready to be judged. Each of our stores featured the drawings, blueprints, and models our customers sent, and late in November we had a special after hours event to show them to the judges.

The more than 60 entries ran the gamut of toy types and included a few things that already exist — maybe the inventors have been too busy fantasizing about their ideal toys to go shopping in real life? We received ideas for toys for men as well as toys for women, though more of the latter; some were far-fetched while others were ideas whose time has come (or will as soon as adequate construction materials are developed). For a peek at the winning entries, see the Sex Toy Contest Winners page.

The winners: the $500 first prize went to the inventor of the Wonder Pants (Yes, they look like bike shorts, but…). These are bike shorts with a difference: “Wonder Pants provide a gel-like, two-lipped cradle for the clit; and a teasing little lump for the vagina.” Extra incentive to pedal, indeed! These could make me buy a bicycle in the first place.

A second prize of $250 was awarded for the Whipping Harness, a thoughtful get-up to protect the vulva and anus of a woman from painful stray whip strokes (but naturally leaving the buttocks free of obstruction for those who don’t experience a spanking or whipping on the rear as “pain” at all!). Much like the Leather Butterfly, which we already sell, it positions a vibrator over the clit, and it holds a small butt plug in place as well. Ingeniously thought out!

Third place, and a $100 prize, went to the inventor of the Pinwheel Tongue Vibe, which lets a woman hold a shaft with several spinning “tongues” — lubricated, yet! — right where they can do the most good. If someone actually manufactures this one, I predict they’ll sail out the door. Toys that attempt to reproduce the feelings of cunnilingus don’t usually succeed very well, but six tongues are bound to be better than one.

The judges also awarded two honorable mentions of $50 each. My Fantasy Vibe is designed to stimulate the G-spot and the clitoris simultaneously, and would fit into a harness, to boot. And Fully Packed is a design for a retractable strap-on dildo that would allow the wearer to telescope her toy down to a size not too uncomfortable or unnatural-looking while clothed, then extend it to full size for play.

The contest has received some attention from the media, so we can only hope we’re helping to fuel a new inventive period within the sex toy industry as well as among creative consumers. As Hoag Levins documents in his book American Sex Machines, gizmos to improve or accessorize sex are nothing new. The US Patent Office has dozens of examples dating back to the era of the office’s opening, since — as many have noted — as soon as a new technology is developed, entrepreneurial or simply erotically adventurous folk typically find a way to use it for sex. Read the book and wonder what sexy doohickey your great-grandparents may have kept hidden under the bed, and whether the things we carry at Good Vibrations right now might have been your parents’ or grandparents’ ideas of “Sex Toys They Wished Existed.”