Mandatory condom laws in film, Part 3: The Shit-storm Continues

The Free Speech Coalition (similar to the EROS association in Australia) is noticeably upset about the LA condom ordinance. I think FSC director Diane Duke brings up a good point;

And YNOT's article on taking AIDs Healthcare Foundation (AHF)'s condom agenda on the road was particularly enlightening to the enforcement of this ordinance;

To enforce compliance, police can spot-check. Fortunately, evidence of infractions will be captured on film, and compliance to the new ordinance can be enforced through the retrospective watching of adult films and punishing the participants. Wait a minute, who's watching all the porn to enforce this?

One of the big risks for this ordinance and L.A. in general was the ability of the adult film companies to up stumps and take their companies outside of LA city limits, to continue to film without the need to follow the ordinance. This will mean a huge loss of jobs, particularly in San Fernando Valley, and subsequent tax paid to the city by adult film companies. The AHF is the major player behind pushing the mandatory condom ordinance. This is what their president has to say about this issue;

Aside from this foundation arguing for this ordinance using Los Angeles STI data that was described by a nationally renowned epidemiologist as 'poorly documented [and] without any basis in science', does their president need to sound so smug about winning?

Mandatory condom laws in film, Part 2

I have previously mentioned a startling development for L.A. city ordinances, about condom use becoming a requirement when performing in adult films.

It required a second round of voting to become official, and an overwhelming victory (9-1) yesterday has apparently made condom use (filming within Los Angeles) mandatory. This law aims for protection of actors from AIDs  transmittal during scenes. There's evidence to suggest a lot of hard working actors are becoming quite ill; and comparisons to firefighters working without protective gear have been made. Within the industry, there are dissenting arguments, and one of my favourites is from 27 year veteran Nina Hartley, who really gets into the gritty end of filming pornography:

There is also the awkward little statistic from the industry that states there have only been 2 cases of HIV transmittal from within LA's pornography industry in the last decade. That being said, these were cases that sent a shockwave through the adult film community, shutting it down for periods of time from a week to a month in length. I believe this ordinance has come of the back of a 2011 scare, where the gentleman who caused it had falsely tested positive.

While Hartley considered the medical side of filming people fucking, the American adult film industry is a multi-billion dollar one, concentrated in California. Christian Mann, (of Evil Angel Productions) found issues with the business aspects:

And I could not agree more. As a pair of filthy breeders, my partner and I go to some length to avoid conception. Prophylactics as well as chemical and hormonal contraceptives are used with boring regularity to stave off unwanted children, and I must say, it's going well, despite the downsides. Which is where pornography comes in, no pun intended. Porn is fantasy and part of that fantasy is throwing caution to the wind. There are no STDs in Pornland, no pregnancy scares or emotional hangups; just sexy, promiscuous women and men having encounter after casual encounter, and everyone is better off for it. 

There's so many grey areas, from the perspective of someone outside of industry. Are these ostensibly consenting adults actually being coerced into not protecting themselves? What amount of responsibility should people take for their own bodies - and is it a case of 'well, this is the life I have chosen?' If the actors don't mind, should they be forced? I speak with bias, despite promoting sexual protection to fight the spread of disease every day - but just not within my fantasy, thanks. If the porn LA produces suddenly declines in volume, I image something will rush in to fill the vacuum - does this mean a surge in the Australian adult film industry? 

Probably only in the Northern Territory and ACT.

Startling development: Mandatory Condom Laws in LA

I read about a strange development today.

This link relates to an new ordinance within Los Angeles approving the mandatory use of condoms in adult films:

It requires a secondary vote very shortly. This will have some big repercussions on America's 13 billion-dollar porn industry, which is situated most densely in Los Angeles. This is something to watch closely. I am wondering about the knock-on effects on demand for adult films. Will amateur film companies and sites gain still more popularity?

The first 15.

I turn the lock and open the door. Before I have poked my head outside to see if the coast is clear to pop out the signs, a woman has barreled into the store. She is looking for a joke present for a friend. I direct her to our Specials and she makes a choice. When serving her, a small child frog-hops past the door with its father close behind. He lays his hand peremptorily on the door and begins to drag it shut. As I stare at him, he explains "I'm just gong to shut this door for the kids..."
"Don't touch that door!" He is confused.
"But the children that walk past..." He begins to re-explain.
"We do not display 18+ things in the front of our store, please leave our property alone."
It's frustrating he has the audacity to dictate decency. It would be easier for him to world-proof his child than to try to child-proof the world, but they still try. I stare at him, until he takes his hand off our door and he leaves quickly.
I remember my customer and shoot a glance at her. I was worried about coming off too harsh but to my surprise, she is nodding. "If he doesn't want to walk his child past a sex shop, he should walk other places," she observes. She adds, "My kid is in a car." She is so great, her attitude balances out Mr. Self-Entitled Parent and I feel better as she leaves. She moves aside to allow a regular to buy his weekly magazine.

It's hot, and he's a bit special. At the counter, complaining about the heat, he swipes his hand across his face as evidence and holds it up, dripping in sweat for my perusal. I can do nothing to disguise the horror on my face, feeling physically repelled by his bodily fluids. He totally misreads my facial expression. Smiling, he gives me a thumbs up, and says he'll see me next week.

Next up, another gentleman walks in with a crumpled $10 note. He asks for change, and then my eyes are drawn to what he has in his other hand; a still-smoking roll-your-own cigarette! On the premises! I freak out. In a voice that is too shrill for my own ears I hear myself say "You are smoking a cigarette in the STORE!"
He beats a hasty retreat. I jack up the fans, hit the pheromone spritzer hard, and open the back door to create a wind tunnel. The store stinks, and I haven't had my coffee yet. I love this job for many reasons, just one being the variety, but sometimes...

5 things to make you go....NSFW

So, during the process of doing my job, I get asked a wide variety of sex-related questions, and Googling has really exposed me to a wide array of concepts I had hitherto unheard of. Maybe you have not, either. Anyway, here are some.

1. Wikifur:

'Autumn Vixen'

This concept is amazing. A furry-based online peer-reviewed website. In case you are not familiar, a furry is generally a person that is 'expressing an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures'. From the outside, that general interest seems mostly sexual, and perverted. Is it though? I don't care. What part of anyones sex life isn't?

2. Exotic dildos:

Here is a site called Bad Dragon. They sell dildos and masturbators. Some of the dildos ejaculate and they also make and sell imitation semen refills. I don't want to ruin the whole surprise, here's a hint:

And another:

Once again, that's: http://www.bad-dragon.com/ .

3. Man lingerie:

The opulence and sexuality of lingerie for women, cut for men, so their junk can fit in the underpants. Enough said.

But not enough seen!

 

So, that and much more can be found here: http://xdress.com/

4. Testicle pumping/scrotal stretching:

Never thought this existed before a couple of customers called about it. You may guffaw at the idea, but here's a dude who takes it very seriously: https://www.pumptoys.com/lib/lib2b.htm

And here's his penis/testicles combo:

 Honestly, I think this looks pretty masculine, in an agricultural kind of way...

Here's some pumping/stretching routines in action:

Not a pressed ham.

Yep.





5. This plate:

This was brought to my attention during a certain wedding brouhaha, and I regret not bringing it up sooner.

From the site:
"A collaboration between Gribsby and illustrator Emanuele Caponera, this plate has been specially produced to mark the occasion of the wedding of Wills and Kate.
The plate is six inches wide. The lettering reads: "Wills and Kate - 29/4/11 - God bless you!" and "Gribsby's tantric commemorative tableware".
This is a limited edition of one thousand. Each plate comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity, signed by Gribsby.
The plate was produced in Stoke on Trent.
Please allow up to three weeks for delivery. Price includes postage and packing, inland and overseas."

For 80 pounds, this can be yours, to eat off every night. Functional, sexy ware.

Review - Wet Stuff Synergy 3X concentrated




3x concentrated formula


Item description: Wet Stuff Synergy 3X concentrated

Company: Wet, owned by Trigg Industries, Valencia CA. A note about this product: the brand 'Wet' is completely separate from the 'Wet Stuff' line of products from the Australian-based Gel Works Company. 

Retails for: 55g for $15.95

Product information: The title 'Synergy' refers to the fusion of water-based lube and silicone lube in the formula. Although this lube is more expensive then water-based (as silicone lubes are), you're supposed to use less as it is thicker, staying silkier and frictionless for longer. An interesting and recent development with the Wet Synergy line is the new 7X formula, promising an even better, longer lasting silicone and water-based lube.

Firstly, Wet Synergy promises a long-lasting lubricant that is frictionless and comfortable throughout. With the 3X concentrated formula, a little should go a long way with this product. Silicone lube is always harder to wash off than water-based lubricant, and Wet Synergy promises an easy clean-up with the use of warm water.

Like all silicone lubes, Wet Synergy is not compatible with toys made of silicone or Cyberskin material.

Another feature of this lube is the use of the trademarked LiquiSatisfaction Technology, which promises that the gel lubricant transforms during sexual activity into a 'silky layer of liquid lubrication'. I had noticed that this lubricant was thicker than others, but again, this is a property that Wet Synergy shares with other silicone-based lubricants.

I found the warning labels on the bottle quite odd at times, key examples are; 'Keep out of eyes and ears', 'Do not use near an open flame' and 'For cosmetic use only'. It was perturbing to read these warnings, when considering that this product is for use on very delicate mucus membranes.



7x concentration formula



The most challenging part about using Wet Stuff Synergy was handling the packaging. The bottle very quickly became super greasy, which is impossible to wash off, and can be difficult to use mid-coitus. But isn't it easy to wash off in warm water? No. That was just some advertising. It'll take a bit of time, some genital soap and a loofah to get properly clean after using this lube. If spilled, it will be hard to clean up, anywhere you spill it. It will also cause greasy-looking spots on fabrics that will show up even after a wash.

Also, I was promised that I would be able to use less lube, for longer. This wasn't necessarily the case. Although I noticed that there was longer times in between re-lubrication, I still use only a little less silicone lube then I would if I was using a water-based one.

An ideal application for this lube is during sex in the bath or shower. As it's so hard to remove, it is far longer lasting than an entirely water-based lube, which is obviously water soluble. One thing to remember though; the shower floor will become slippery too.

After using the Wet Stuff Synergy lube my opinion was that it was just another lube in an industry that is already saturated with product choices. Combining the underwhelming performance with the frustrating-to-use packaging, and I won't be re-purchasing this product. It was worthwhile for shower/bath sexual activity, but other then that, it's not for me, and there are a dozen other silicone-based products that I could be trying which can promise that same feature. Additionally, the combination of water-based lube with silicone means there are preservatives within the product that I wouldn't recommend for people with hypoallergenic product needs for example, Glycerin and Pentylene Glycol.

Why I Love Body Stockings

As the season shifts to winter, I have started wearing body stockings a lot more. Just so we are on the same page, a body stocking looks like this:

A full-body...stocking. I initially purchased it as a sexy thing to wear, but I was surprised to find the body stocking has so much more going for it!

Firstly though, it is a sexy thing to wear. Wear it out or around the house, people will want to put their feet in your mouth. Putting on one that fits well will make you want to wear big shoes and flip your hair wantonly, or whatever else you're into.

Secondly, they can be super comfortable. I say CAN because I have bought one with poorly placed straps that cut into my shoulders, and had to alter it. That might have been specific to that make, or even that particular garment. The other ones though*, are great! They feel like second skins. Sometimes hosiery will ride, sag in the crotch, pinch in my innards, but not these guys.

Thirdly, they are warm. Unusually warm, for something that is essentially sheer. There must be some science involved, something that perhaps an astronomer could explain. It gets kinda cold here, especially with the wind and wearing a body stocking mostly negates the need for singlets or skivvies, even if you are the type of person that always feels the weather (which I totally am).

Lastly, long-sleeved body stockings are reversible. This means that the long-sleeve front-lace up one you have:

can also be the long-sleeve back lace-up one you've always wanted (the pattern may not magically change upon body stocking reversal):

So, you may have some questions. Here are a few I have heard so far:

How do I pee?

Peeing will be difficult unless you are ONLY wearing the body stocking. The solution to this is: buy a crotchless one. Practically all of them are, but it is easy to double check on the box. Another upside to the crotchless body stocking is double sexy points. You can also just pee through your stocking (not recommended).

Will it catch on my piercings?

Yes. This is another situation that requires a little planning or a change of hardware. Captive bead ring piercings won't catch like bar piercings will, also, pick the right-sized mesh for your piercing. Either diamond or fence net so your pierced part will slip through, or fishnet so that the piercing cannot slip through at all.

They seem really delicate and like they are going to rip easily.

Ok, that wasn't a question, but I will answer as though it is one. I guess they can rip as easily as any stockings would, and there are some simple things you can do to prolong the life of your body stocking:

1. Wash the stocking inside a laundry bag on a delicates cycle. Hang up to air. Never tumble dry.

2. Don't wear the jewellery that you know will catch on stockings (you know the ones).

3. Take care when drinking and wearing spiked high heels - they might catch.

That's pretty much all I can think of. The ones I have are holding up really well, and I don't have a good track record with any kind of hosiery so I think if you take a bit of care you will get a lot of wear out of them.

Happy being warm this winter, inside and out of the house!

 *I feel I should make a note that I buy the Queen-sized hosiery which is supposed to fit up to 140kgs, so perhaps that comfort comes from the extra room in the stocking.