The FSC and pro-1st Amendment rights group CCS currently are battling Ohio’s recent SB 16 legislation, which imposes restrictions over adult-oriented businesses in the state. Among other things, the bill prohibits an adult business from being open between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. without a state-issued liquor permit, providing that it does not offer any adult entertainment where performers appear nude between those hours. It also calls for a “no-touching” rule and outlines guidelines for acceptable amounts of distance between patrons and performers.
“We want to do more than just donate,” Screaming O-Bushman Products Co-owner Justin Ross said. “We are making the donation in the retailer’s name so they can feel like they are part of the cause and even motivate people that may not have gotten around to participating.”
The first donation of $930 has been made on behalf of L.D. Management, owners of the Ohio-based Lion’s Den chain of adult stores that purchased 31 Screaming O displays.
“We are in the trenches here in Ohio and every little bit helps,” said Dustin Olive, Vice President of Operations of the Lion’s Den Stores.
Honey’s Place, the adult novelty distributor that works with the Lions Den account, also stood in support of the fund-raising efforts.
“It’s a great program since we feel like we can do something to help the effort and even get the support of people in the industry that may not feel the heat … today,” Honey’s Place owner Bonnie Feingold said.
Screaming O is a line of wearable, vibrating novelties designed for the couples market. Several sex experts including Dr. Ava Cadell and Sue Johansson endorse their products, and the Screaming O received an award in the Women’s Health Magazine 1st Annual Sex Awards.
The new, fully stocked countertop or freestanding displays come with a form that retailers can fill out and fax back to the company, in order to make their donations.
“We thank the folks at Screaming O for their innovative and generous donation program and commend them for their leadership,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “When businesses like Screaming O look outside their own business models to help the industry, we all benefit.”