Journalist Passes on Seminar, Babeland Alleges Censorship

LOS ANGELES — Female-friendly adult retailer Babeland announced that Los Angeles Times columnist Joel Stein, who was set to teach a fellatio instructional seminar next week, backed out abruptly and said his editors didn't like the idea. He also told the store he would not write his intended corresponding column for the same reasons.

Babeland quickly responded on its blog, which reported "Censorship rears its ugly head all the time in our line of work. Yesterday it resulted in journalist Joel Stein abruptly pulling out of teaching."

Babeland marketing coordinator Mae Schultz told XBIZ that the store's "The Art of Giving a Blowjob" seminar, scheduled June 26, is one of its most popular. Its related how-to on the store's website also is one of the store's most trafficked educational pages, and when Schultz brought up the idea of teaching the workshop to Stien, he said he was game.

"He was like, 'Yeah, everyone loves blowjobs,'" Schultz said, and because Stein writes about almost anything for his L.A. Times column, the two thought it might be fun to write an article about his experience in front of a curious audience.

However, a day after Babeland announced Stein's workshop in a press release, Schultz said she received a call from Stein who told her his editors were "freaking out" about the workshop and eventually canceled both the seminar and his column.

"The Times said they didn't want him to have anything to do with the workshop at all," Schultz said, adding that the publication also requested its name not be posted anywhere on Babeland's website.

"I think it's a bit excessive," Schultz said. "They're just categorizing us as porn peddlers [but] I'm only speculating; I really don't know what the L.A. Times editors are thinking. I'm sure we'll find another way to get into the L.A. Times and they'll love us and we'll love them."

Members of the L.A. Times editorial department had no comment.

"The Art of Giving a Blowjob" will be held June 26 as planned and will be taught by Babeland sex educator Kelly Arbor.

Schultz said Stein has frequently written about Babeland in other publications, including a January 2004 article in Time Magazine.

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

'Groove Thing' Sets Kickstarter Funding Record for Insertable Pleasure Product

Groove Thing, an insertable pleasure product that plays audio, has set a funding record on Kickstarter.

Nalpac/Entrenue, Ohdoki Sign Distro Deal for 'The Handy'

Nalpac/Entrenue has inked an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with Ohdoki Products for The Handy.

Onahole Debuts New 'Miss Boss Cup' Stroker

Pleasure brand Onahole has introduced its new Miss Boss Cup stroker.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Trust 1' HPV Test

ProDx Health has introduced its new Trust 1 Home Collection Kit for HPV testing.

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.

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.

Show More