Newsletter No. 37: SUMMER 2007

An Inconvenient Screw

As Al Gore brings sexy back to the soapbox and raises awareness of the challenges facing our environment, worrying about such things is no longer solely the domain of the activists among us. Many of us are becoming concerned about the things we put in and around our bodies, and the impact our lives have on the world around us. 
Even the sex toy industry, slowly emerging from a murky history of shame and sleaze, seems to be taking some notice and some big manufacturers are pledging to stop producing sex toys containing phthalates in the coming years. 
This is definitely good news for consumers and the industry as a whole, but does this indicate a fundamental shift in attitude, or is this a marketing strategy? Is it possible that the big players are afraid of losing market share as their customers become more educated and make more informed decisions?
The reality is there are many smaller, sex-positive manufacturers who genuinely care about the pleasure and health of their customers and have been making phthalate-free sex toys for years. These tend to be the same companies who make higher quality sex toys that don't wind up in landfills quite as often, or when they do, at least they don't leach toxins into the environment. These also tend to be the same manufacturers who provide fair wages for their workers, often have manufacturing processes that have less negative environmental impact, and can actually tell you what's in the toys they make.
Here are some simple tips for making more socially and environmentally responsible sex toy purchases:
Avoiding phthalates and latex. As latex allergies become more common and concerns over the environmental and health impact of phthalates have emerged, silicone toys have become increasingly popular. These toys are hypoallergenic and they don't degrade over time like rubber toys. But beware - a toy doesn't have to be 100% silicone to be labeled 'silicone', so be sure to ask before you buy. Hard plastic toys, stainless steel toys and glass toys are also latex and phthalate-free. All phthalate-free items on our website are marked as such.
Avoiding parabens. Many personal care items on the market contain parabens, and like phthalates, the jury is still out on their impact on humans. Fortunately, personal lubricants do list their ingredients so you can simply avoid parabens by reading the label! It is worth noting that silicone and oil based lubes do not usually contain parabens.
Fair Trade and Fair Wage. Unfortunately, there isn't yet a big movement towards 'fair trade' sex toys, but you can still make decisions to support ethical businesses. Supporting independently-run sex shops (especially that nice worker-owned one) and smaller or local manufacturers doesn't guarantee they'll employ more ethical business practices, but at least you'll know where your toy came from, who made it, and most likely what's in it. Smaller, fair-wage manufacturers make many silicone toys and there are many other toys made locally and independently. 
Environmental Concerns. We may not know exactly what phthalates do to our bodies, but we do know what they do to the environment, and the news isn't good. Also, the almost-disposable nature of some poorly made sex toys means that more of these phthalate-laden sex toys will ultimately wind up in landfills. There isn't a perfect solution on the horizon, but avoiding phthalates, buying higher-quality toys, and switching to rechargeables or plug-in vibrators is a good start. 
Have questions? Need guidance? E-mail us at info@comeasyouare.com or check out our website for more information and resources.

News

We have lots of events over the next few months continuing our celebration of 10 years of great sex! If you happen to be in Toronto, stop by to visit or join one of our fabulous events exploring a diversity of sexual experiences and journeys!

Contact Photography Festival 
Through the month of May, we will be hosting the exhibit I Left It At The Door by photographer Darren Stehr. This exhibit is part of the annual Contact Photography Festival. An art opening will be held on May 10 from 6pm to 9pm. For more information on this exhibit and over 500 other exhibits going on around Toronto, check out the festival's website at www.contactphoto.com.

Best Lesbian Erotica 2007
For those interested in reading or writing the erotic, join us on May 31st at 7pm in our Toronto store for a book reading and signing with the writers of Best Lesbian Erotica 2007. Hosted by Tristan Taormino, editor and creator of the infamous Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women, as well as contributors Amy Babcock, Skian McGuire, and Jean Roberta. ASL interpretation will be provided. This is a free event! 

Annie Sprinkle
Yes it's true! After more than 10 years away, and just in time for our 10th Anniversary year celebrations, Annie Sprinkle will be in town dishing out her particular brand of post-porn modern sex education. Performing the much acclaimed Exposed: Experiments in Love, Sex, Death, and Art with her partner Beth Stephens over two nights at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, June 20 & 21. For tickets call 416-975-8555 or www.buddiesinbadtimestheatre.com. 
For a more intimate in person experience join us at Come As You Are for workshops with Annie herself and a chance to explore Fun with Ecstasy Breathing and Energy Orgasms on Friday June 22 & Saturday June 23. To pre-register or for more info, call 416-504-7934 or visit our website.

Sex, Disability, and Art
In the months of June and July, we will be hosting photography by Loree Erickson. The art opening on June 7th will also include the first public screening of Loree's groundbreaking short films. This will be followed by a fabulous evening on July 21st - Reclaiming the Gaze: A Performance Evening Exploring Desire and Disability. With films by Loree Erickson, performances and more! Tallulah's Cabaret, 11 Alexander St. 7:30pm. Tickets $5 or PWYC (available at the door). 
 
Toys

Boy Butter
Perfect for solo play, the original Boy Butter is a unique oil-based lube with a luxurious and long lasting creamy consistency. Made of organic coconut oil and silicone, Boy Butter is more water soluble than most oil-based lubes, but as with all oil-based lubes, Boy Butter should not be used vaginally or with condoms. more
Boy Butter H2O
I can't believe it's not Boy Butter... and you won't believe it either! This water-based cousin of the original Boy Butter contains shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E which creates a smooth, creamy consistency and eliminates the stickiness common to water-based lubricants. You Won't Believe It's Not Boy Butter is safe for vaginal use and is totally condom-compatible.  more
G-Sparkle
This cute little number looks small but offers consistant and strong vibration. Great as a first time toy or for someone looking for strong internal/external vibration in a small battery-operated motor. Cute with character!  more
Lelo Iris
Boasting a sleek, intuitive design and dual-engine pleasure points, the Lelo Iris may very well be the most sophisticated vibrator of its kind. Made of phthalate-free silicone and hard plastic, the Iris features a rechargeable battery and provides up to four full hours of continuous pleasure on a single charge. The elegant design and sleek push-button controls befit such a high-quality and multi-talented pleasure object. more
Li'l Fritzy
The newest vibe from the fine folks at Fun Factory is turning out to be quite the little charmer. Li'l Fritzy is only about four inches high, but has all of the features of a vibe twice the size! With precise push-button variable speed control and a special pulsating mode, Li'l Fritzy is a great compact g-spotter and because it is made of silicone, it is also hypoallergenic and phthalate-free.  more
Lucky
Are you feeling Lucky? You will! Lucky is the first super-realistic toy from our favourite local dildo artizans at Happy Valley. Made with love and silicone, Lucky feels like your favourite cyberskin toy, but is totally boilable, phthalate-free and harness compatible to boot!  more
 

Books

Best Lesbian Erotica 2007
This collection of 21 authors is as steamy an edgy as it gets! The stories range from a virgin butch bakery owner becoming seduced by the new femme in town in Joy Parks' "Sweet thing", to Peggy Munson's almost unbearable twist on little Red Riding Hood in her story "Subtexts". A definite page turner that will have you reacting out loud!  more
Best Women's Erotica 2007
A passionate plethora of smart and sexy erotic literature, Best Women's Erotica 2007 gets racier every year! With grit, humour, and real characters, you will be fascinated by the sexy personalities and scenarios. From Teresa Noelle's opera costumer infatuated with a male countertenor in Voice of an Angel to Kay Jaybee's office worker who loves to cause trouble in Becky. If you're ready for the excitement that 2007 has to offer, this collection of stories is right up your ally! more
Better Than I Ever Expected
A great new book that tells it straight about being sexy and sixty! Author, Joan Price shares personal anecdotes and stories from other fabulously "sexy over sixties" to provide advice and encouragement for women entering their later years. With practical information on such topics as menopause, dating again (or still), spicing up long term relationships, and male health issues, while also speaking to the positives of the wisdom and sexual confidence the comes with aging. Heterosexual focus. more
Cream
Sex toy stories, erotica noir, cross-cultural erotica, and gender bending are just some of the few categories of great erotic literature found in Cream. For the first time in ten years, the Erotica Readers and Writers Association has combined an erotic blender of the best of what has been published by the ERWA. Found in this steamy collection, Cream offers the best of the best. A great book filled with a little bit of everything!  more
Radical Ecstacy
The newest book from the writers who brought us The Ethical Slut and the New Bottoming Book. This time around, Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy share with us real-life stories of exploring spirituality that come from erotic torture and submission. This book thoroughly explores this transcendent realm of kink, with practical tips and techniques to achieve heightened states of sacred-sex through solo and partnered sexual and BDSM practice.  more

DVDs

Krystal Method
Acting and co-directing, crowd pleaser and scene stealer Jenna Jameson just can't be stopped! And we're glad that she hasn't – this film is beyond hot. No plot, but themed scenes ranging from fedoras and cigarettes to blacklight and body paint to Moulin Rouge "Lady Marmalade" costumes, all done with stylish, well-shot effects. Jenna's all-girl scene with title temptress Krystal Steal is worth the price of the DVD alone! more
Bondage Boob Tube
We've got it, folks. Blowfish and MadisonBound have released a gorgeous retro-pin-up themed flick, where fetish babe Jewel Marceau gets sucked in to her TV screen to spice up the lives of the stars. When models aren't dressed as household objects (or wearing nothing but rope), they are donning way-cute 50's dresses, back seam stockings and stiletto heels. While the dialogue can be a bit cheesy at times, Bondage Boob Tube is absolutely captivating. more
Factory Fuckers
Do you have a thing for buff, good-looking and hard-working men? Check out Factory Fuckers. Featuring attractive, greased-up guys all set in a factory, this film has no dialogue and no music so you can really focus on the action. more
Insexts
Director Philip Mond dishes out a super high-style and high-gloss feature with Insexts. At almost 3 hours long, most of the film consists of a dreamlike scene where breathtakingly gorgeous women and men are dressed as, well…insects! This veritable utopia of porn is utterly dripping with colour and sensuality. Other scenes might have more of the traditional aspects that you might see in videos that we offer, but you certainly haven't ever experienced what some of these girls get up to with a bicycle! more
Penthouse Bad Wives
If flipping through the pages of the magazine isn't quite doing it for you, check out this new release from Penthouse. Their famous "Letters" come to life as five ladies get to fulfill the fantasy that they've been dreaming of—threesomes! Whether it be with another man or another woman, each scene contains steamy group sex. Definite focus on what "she" wants. more

Come As You Are Workshop Schedule

27 Apr 2007    Women's Sensual Dominance Intensive Weekend workshop with Midori
14 May 2007    Take It Off With Confidence
23 May 2007    Creative Sex - Keep the Sparks Flying in Your Sex Play workshop w/Ducky DooLittle
24 May 2007    Pop His Rocket - Handling Your Guy workshop w/Ducky DooLittle
26 May 2007    The Art of Female Orgasm workshop with Ducky DooLittle
27 May 2007    Pop His Rocket - A Woman's Guide to Her Guy workshop w/Ducky Doolittle
28 May 2007    Bottoms Up - Exploring Safe, Fun, Anal Pleasure workshop with Ducky DooLittle
Be sure to check out our complete workshop schedule on our website or on MySpace!