Alabama’s ‘Sell a Vibrator, Go to Jail’ Law Is Challenged

A group of women took the state of Alabama to court Wednesday over a state law that bans the sale of vibrators and other sex toys.

The American Civil Liberties Union took the suit to U.S. District Court on behalf of Sherri Williams and other women who say their privacy rights have been violated.

“It’s a $10,000 fine and a year of hard labor if you get caught selling vibrators,” said Williams, who runs two “romance boutiques” in Alabama.

Last year, the Alabama Legislature outlawed strip clubs and added language that barred the sale of items to enhance sex, including vibrators and certain kinds of condoms.

“They set out to eliminate strip clubs, but along the way they snuck in sex toys,” Williams said. “Not only did they take away your entertainment, but when they were done they also took away your right to entertain yourself.”