Georgia Sex Toy Ban Could Go to U.S. Supreme Court

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The legal resolution of a suit brought against Atlanta suburb Sandy Springs’ reigning sex toy ban may not be so simple due to conflicting previous court rulings related to the issue.

The current city ordinance requires residents to obtain a prescription, or provide a medical or scientific reason, to buy a sexual device.

Melissa Davenport, a local woman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, filed the suit against Sandy Springs, arguing that the ordinance encroaches on people’s privacy and blatantly violates the Fourteenth Amendment. She also said that sex toys saved her 24-year marriage after she began losing sensitivity in her genitals, which wreaked havoc on her sex life.

While Sandy Springs officials are poised to respond to the complaint in May, previous rulings on similar cases may make the court’s decision rather sticky — and the matter could potentially travel all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Scott Titshaw, a law professor at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, explained that there have been two U.S. Court of Appeals cases on the subject in recent years: one the 11th Circuit (which includes Georgia) that upheld Alabama’s statewide ban on sex toys, and one in the neighboring 5th Circuit, which struck down a similar ban in Texas.

“Both [rulings] focused on the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, but they parsed the Lawrence vs. Texas case – the Texas sodomy case – in very different ways,” Titshaw said. 

The U.S. Supreme Court may need to step in and resolve the divergent opinions of the 5th and 11th Circuits.

Related:  

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

Electric Novelties Debuts New 'Gemsations' Anal Plug Collection

Electric Novelties has introduced its Gemsations line of anal plugs in silicone and metal options.

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

Adam & Eve Reveals Results of 'Happy Ending Dream' Survey

Adam & Eve has released the results of a survey asking respondents if they have ever had a sex dream with a happy ending.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Kheper Releases New 'Drink if... Taboo Version' Party Game

Kheper Games has released its new "Drink if… Taboo Version" party game.

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aneros Debuts 'Eupho Syn V' From 'Vibration Collection'

Aneros has introduced the Eupho Syn V from its Vibration Collection.

Wells Apparel Group Inks Distro Deal With Kix'ies

Wells Apparel Group has signed a deal with Kix’ies, Inc. for distribution throughout 13 states.

Ohdoki Debuts 2 New Strokers

Ohdoki has introduced two new stroker sleeves.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Show More