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Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump, Republicans, Texas
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump, Republicans, Texas
A new bill proposal has got people shaking their free hand in disapproval at Donald Trump’s administration and his Republican supporters.
Most people don’t like the idea of the government in their bedroom, but a new bill proposal would allow them to have a bit more influence on what you do during your alone time.
Earlier this month, Republican Senator Angela Paxton, wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has introduced a bill to punish online retailers that sell an 'obscene device' to people without age verification.
What is an ‘obscene device’, you ask? Well according to state’s penal code, it's ‘a device including a dildo or artificial vagina, designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs’.
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Retailers that wouldn’t abide by these rules could face up to a year in prison and a $4,000 fine.
In a separate bill in the state, Republicans have called for it to be illegal for major retailers like Target, Walmart, and CVS to sell sex toys, making them only available in ‘sexually oriented businesses’ such as sex shops and strip clubs.
Thought you were going to spend your hard-earned money on some home comforts? Not around here, it seems.
This has some media outlets arguing that Donald Trump and Republicans have felt empowered to ‘wage war’ on masturbation and people’s private lives.
Some sexual health experts have already spoken out about the proposed bill.
A licensed clinical social worker and sex educator spoke about the negative message this bill was pushing on the American people.
Dr Shamyra Howard spoke to the Dallas Observer and said: “Requiring ID to purchase a sex toy sends the message that pleasure is something to be policed and surveilled.
“It pathologizes something that is completely normal and turns a private, healthy act into something shameful.
“This kind of legislation doesn’t protect people; it embarrasses them. It creates unnecessary barriers and reinforces harmful stigmas that many of us have spent years trying to dismantle.”
Howard also spoke about the health benefits of individuals using them and the importance of ease of purchase.
She added: “What’s often overlooked is that sex toys are not just about pleasure. They’re also part of comprehensive sexual wellness.
“Men use them too, both for pleasure and to manage erectile issues, neuropathy from diabetes and poor blood flow related to high blood pressure.
“There are devices designed to support pain management, pelvic floor health, sex toys even help people manage mental health issues through stress relief and help to re-establish intimacy after medical procedures or trauma.”