Why Using Sex Toys, Watching Porn, and Going Green Is an Easy Fit

By Liz Langley, AlterNet. Posted February 13, 2009.

"When you learn how to use your breath, sound and movement to enhance your turn-on and expand your orgasm, you don't require batteries," says Sheri Winston, founder of the Center for the Intimate Arts and teacher of "wholistic sexuality," which emphasizes breathing techniques, vocalizations (in other words, moaning as loud as you like and not caring what the neighbors think) and the use of the pelvic muscles to make your orgasms bigger, better, more (as a novice student, I've already gotten the benefits of it).

"The greenest bedroom doesn't need plastic and silicone to increase the hotitude -- just learn to use the equipment you were born with to it's fullest potential," Winston says. And boy, is it sustainable. Winston says that with these techniques longer and more orgasms -- we're talking 15 and 20 in a row -- are possible for anyone.

Real People, Real Sex

Porn is based on fantasy, and yes, asking it for a bit more naturalism is kind of like asking that Harry Potter not do quite so damn many spells. But in an industry that turns out about 12,000 movies a year, certainly a variety of body types can be highlighted.

I've never watched a Girls Gone Wild video, but from the insomniac-hour ads, it seems like all the testimony in the world that natural sells -- naturally thin, young and cute, sure, but it's a goddamn start.

A more democratic range of appearances would open the doors of employment to more types, like the fine folks of Ugly NY, a modeling agency that specializes in a range of looks -- funny-looking people, regular-looking people, interesting-looking people, even a few attractive people.

According to the "Today Show," the Ugly Talent Agency in London has been finding these looks for 30 years and only recently opened a New York office. An Ugly model can get up to $600 for a print ad. People like seeing normal humans like themselves -- and seeing them in adult features might boost consumer confidence, as in, "If that ugly bastard can get laid, so can I. I'm buying some condoms!"

And while we're at it, the genital area that has been bleached and waxed more than a hospital floor has certainly had its 15 minutes, hasn't it? Hard as it is to believe, realistic looking vulvas and breasts might be a novel-enough idea to attract consumers again.

If aestheticians lose some cash in the Brazilian-waxing business, maybe they can make up for it in a colorful way, like talking clients into the Betty Beauty all-natural dyes "for the hair down there" in a variety of shades, some natural, some not -- like hot pink and turquoise (especially interesting for the aging populace who are looking down upon gray gardens).

Use and Promote Green Toys and Products

In all the joking about bailouts, I had totally forgotten that Hustler has its own toy line, and most of the toys I clicked on on its Web site are listed as phthalate-free. Sunny Rodgers, product development director for Hustler Toys, says they anticipate introducing some new items later this year.

"Theresa and I are both heavily involved in the design process, and being women, are concerned with having our toys be phthalate-free, female-friendly and where possible, hypoallergenic," Rodgers says (the Theresa she mentions, by the way, is Theresa Flynt, daughter of Larry Flynt).

"There are many organic options that we are excited to explore. We would also like to educate our consumers more about care and cleaning of their toys, and energy-efficient options, such as rechargeable vibrators." OK, so Hustler was a little bit ahead of me. It wouldn't be the first time.

Many stores already offer a gratifying and lovely variety of toys, accessories and products that cater to the green, health-conscious, sophisticated consumer. "People don't want sex to smell like Jell-O Pudding," says Babeland spokeswoman Pamela Doan, referring to the heavy-scented, sticky lubricants most of us remember in the days of yore. Babeland's two new organic lubricants -- Naked and Fresh -- have a gentler taste and scent (Naked is lightly lemon flavored, and Fresh has a hint of mint). They also have "a soy-based candle that has a low burning point and that melts into a massage oil that's heated." That's hot.

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Liz Langley is a freelance writer in Orlando, Fla.

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