U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Ala. Sex Toy Ban Case

LAS VEGAS — Adult shop owner Sherri Williams has told XBIZ that the U.S. Supreme Court will not hear her case challenging Alabama's sex toy ban, ending an almost 10-year fight against the law.

The sale of adult toys is now been deemed officially illegal in the state, she said.

"The next step for me is they'll arrest me and put me in jail," Williams said, adding that each offense could bring her a year of hard labor.

"I guess [it] will be a very long time because I have probably 4,900 offenses in my store,' Williams said.

Williams said that in hopes to avoid being prosecuted to the full extent, she has decided to file another lawsuit challenging the validity of Alabama's ban on the sale of sex toys and will hire a 1st Amendment lawyer to do so.

Alabama law states that adult toys may be sold legally for medical, educational and artistic purposes — not for self-gratification — but the law also states that it is against the law to advertise them.

"How can you sell something you can't advertise?" Williams said.

Now Williams said she will wait to see if the state attorney general will decide to postpone prosecution while her new lawsuit is pending, or put her in jail and require she file the suit in prison.

"Because they gave absolutely no guidance whatsoever when they passed this law," Williams said, "now they have to scramble to figure out how to enforce it, and I don't foresee they'll be able to figure that out in the next 30 days."

Williams said she found out about the court's decision today at 9 a.m. and has called a press conference to relay the news while at the International Lingerie Show in the Rio Suites Hotel.

Williams first challenged the law in 1998, claiming it violated a slew of civil rights, and a year later it was found unconstitutional by a federal trial judge. However, an 11th Circuit panel said Alabama can police the sale of "any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs."

A recent decision made by the 11th Circuit panel held that "public morality remains a legitimate rational basis for the challenged legislation," and once again deemed the ban constitutional.

Williams current attorneys, Roger Wilcox and Paul Cambria of New York law firm Lipsitz, Green, Scime, Cambria, were unavailable for comment at press time.

Copyright © 2024 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

Blush to Sponsor Networking Happy Hour at XBIZ Expo

Pleasure brand Blush is sponsoring a happy hour at the upcoming XBIZ Expo, reinforcing the event’s focus on building connections and fostering collaboration.

Passionate Playground, Thunderpussy Collab on Custom 'Joyboxx'

Passionate Playground and Seattle-based female rock band Thunderpussy have collaborated on a branded custom Joyboxx.

Honey Play Box Debuts 'Gem' Vibrator

Honey Play Box has introduced its new Gem vibrator.

DV8 Dare Marks Its 10th Anniversary

The Deviate Network is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its DV8 Dare line of pleasure products.

BasisDx Adds Subscription Option for 'Pro13' Home Testing Kit

PASS-certified home testing kit provider BasisDx has added a subscription model option for its Pro13 kit.

Melanie Rose to Host 2025 XBIZ Honors

Melanie Rose, host of the popular Netflix show “How to Build a Sex Room,” will MC the retail edition of the 2025 XBIZ Honors, set to take place Jan. 18 at the iconic Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

Full Circle Introduces 'Be Savage' Apparel Collection

Full Circle Distribution has debuted the new Be Savage collection of lingerie, dresses, and accessories.

Blush Debuts 'Quantum X' Stroker From 'M for Men' Line

Blush has introduced the new Quantum X thrusting stroker from its M for Men line.

Angel Bermudez of Evolved Novelties Passes Away at 52

Angel Bermudez, a valued and integral member of the sales team at Evolved Novelties, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, at his home in Miami. He was 52.

Satisfyer, Kourtney Kardashian's Poosh.com Partner on Celebrity VIP Gift Box

Satisfyer has partnered with Kourtney Kardashian’s lifestyle site, Poosh, which will include the pleasure brand's Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 2 Air Pulse Vibrator in the Poosh Celebrity VIP Gift Box.

Show More