Attorney Wants Sex Aid Case Heard by Supreme Court

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Attorneys representing the owner of an adult shop and four women who claim that their lives would be diminished without the aid of vibrators are seeking to set the U.S. Supreme Court abuzz and bring sex toys before the highest court in the land.

Mike Fees, attorney for Pleasures store owner Sherri Williams, said he filed a writ of certiorari last week with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to decide the constitutionality of state laws prohibiting the sale of “any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs.”

Originally enacted by the Alabama legislature in 1998, the law, designated as an “anti-obscenity” act, makes it illegal to distribute and possess with intent to distribute any type of sexual device. People prosecuted under the law face a fine of up $10,000 and “may be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county.”

Taking a page from Lawrence vs. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down Texas laws prohibiting consensual sodomy between men because the court found it unconstitutional to limit legal acts between specific groups of consenting adults, Fees argues that, because masturbation and genitalia stimulation are not illegal in Alabama, the sale of devices used for the purpose should be legal as well.

“The constitutional right of privacy established in a long line of United States Supreme Court decisions forbids this type of intrusion into an individual’s lawful sexual practices and intimate medical affairs,” wrote Fees in an amended complaint in the initial court case.

According to Fees, prohibiting the sale of sexual aids also inhibits the medical treatment of “anorgasmic women” who have difficult achieving orgasm through any other means.

Among the many findings that Fees noted were specific sections of Food and Drug Administration code that address therapeutic uses of vibrators.

“To the extent the challenged statute purports to be premised on general principles of morality, the fact that neither use of sexual aids nor masturbation is unlawful undermines that rationale,” Fees wrote. “To the extent the challenged statute purports to be based on the premise that they are somehow obscene, the devices do not meet the definition of obscenity set out in the Alabama criminal code.”

In the underlying lawsuit, the plaintiffs have twice won their cases in trial courts, but lost on appeal. If the U.S. Supreme Court accepts the case and rules in favor of the plaintiffs, the case could have dramatic effects for the handful of states currently prohibiting the sale of sexual aids.

Currently, these states include Texas, Nebraska, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Virginia.

The case was lost most recently over the summer in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, when it ruled that there is no constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right to sexual privacy.

Fees expects to know whether the high court will accept the case by the middle of February.

The underlying case is Williams vs. Pryor, CV-98-S-1938-NE.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Eye of Love Debuts 'Pheromone Roll-On Duo' From Bloom Line

Eye of Love has introduced the Pheromone Roll-On Duo fragrance set from its Bloom collection.

Full Circle Releases 'Grinders' Collection

Pleasure brand Full Circle has debuted its new Grinders collection of discreet vibrators.

Doc Johnson, Polynesian Pleasures Ink Distro Deal

Pleasure brand Polynesian Pleasures has signed a deal with Doc Johnson for global distribution.

Sydney Screams, Creature Feature Toys & Tailends Studios Launch Limited Partnership

Sydney Screams, Creature Feature Toys, and Tailends Studios have launched a one-month campaign to produce customizable dildos, with some proceeds benefiting SWAID Collective.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

Sexpo Australia Founder Launches SexEx

Sexpo Australia founder David Ross has launched his new adult lifestyle expo, SexEx.

Orion Unveils New Styles From 'Svenjoyment Bondage' Line

Orion Wholesale has released two new styles from its Svenjoyment Bondage line.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

B-Vibe Spotlighted in Glamour Magazine

B-Vibe has been named Best for Anal Toys in a Glamour Magazine article on pleasure brands.

Show More