Alabama religious groups and politicians cannot control their zeal to prevent others from enjoying life, even in the privacy of one's bedroom. A leading religious activist defends the notorious "Alabama dildo law"and rants that such devices are "a nuisance and they certainly are conducive for promiscuity and loose morals."

he man whose name could (and probably should) go down in legal infamy as the author of Alabama's absurd "Dildo ban law" says that he still supports efforts to prohibit the sale of vibrators and other sex toys. State Senator Tom Butler (D-Madison) says that he is "amazed" at the outcry against the legislation, and denies that the ban has anything to do with government attempting to control people's sex lives.

   Last April, the legislation unanimously cleared both the Alabama House and Senate; it prohibits the sale of "any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs." Violators of the law face up to a $10,000 fine as well as a year behind bars; it is modeled after similar invasive legislation in Georgia and Tennessee.

According to Rev. Dan Ireland of the Alabama Citizens Action Program, dildos and other sex toys are "a nuisance and they certainly are conducive for promiscuity and loose morals..."

   "No one cares a hoot about what they do" in the privacy of one's bedroom. "This is totally about commercial operations," insists Mr. Butler.

   Butler is wrong on both counts. True, the purpose of the Alabama law is to harass and shut down "obscene" behavior like the adults book stores or strip joints; but in terms of controlling peoples' choices in the marketplace, Butler is, in effect, declaring that folks should not voluntarily spend their money in such establishments. Besides, where are people supposed to purchase sex toys and other aids to begin with? Butler's disingenuous reasoning is comparable to declaring that shutting down grocery stores has "nothing to do" with people eating.

   The Alabama dildo ban is now being challenged by two women. Huntsville, Ala. entrepreneur Sherri Williams sells sexual aids from her "Pleasures" romance shop in Decatur. Another plaintiff taking up the battle in federal court is B.J.Bailey, who offers similar devices at private in-house parties.

Sexual kitsch? A 60s-era ad for a "massage appliance." Such devices have even been offered through Sunday newspaper supplements, where ads only hint at their real purpose. Religious and political opposition to the private use of these and other aids is testament to our culture's unenlightened views on sexuality and the human body.

Both insist that the items they peddle have more to do with "romance" than sexual lust, but add that government has no proper business in telling consenting adults what they can and cannot do in the privacy of bedrooms. On Wednesday, US District Judge C. Lynwood Smith heard arguments on the case, and a ruling is expected shortly.

   What makes the Alabama dildo ban similar to other laws attempting to regulate voluntary behaviors between and among consenting adults is the notion that government, churches or other groups can accurately measure "community standards," and that such standards do, in fact, exist. Butler justified the law saying that people had been "begging lawmakers" to crack down on adult entertainment venues in Madison County; he specifically cited a billboard which promoted "Cold Beer, Nude Women, Free Lap Dances."

   Evidently, though, a sufficient number of citizens in the area spend dollars in such establishments, so much so that they dot the landscape throughout the country. Butler's objection may have less to do with complaints from citizens and stem more from his own views on matters of sexuality and what constitutes "filth."

   "Quite frankly, that's (the billboard) just pure trash and pornographic and obscene, and it's not something this community wants to tolerate," Butler told the Huntsville Times newspaper. Despite the questionable claim that he speaks for the "community" -- members of which seem to be flocking to the clubs -- he also reflected the NIMBY mentality ("Not In My Back Yard") when he noted, "A lot of places outside Alabama are certainly a lot more liberal." The solon expressed frustration with the inability of local obscenity ordinances to close such establishments, saying that club owners often found "loopholes" in the laws and continued to operate.

   The original effort to ban nude dancing was quickly broadened, though, by Madison County District Attorney Tim Morgan, when he recommended that any legislation cover a wide range of activities, including the sale of sexual devices. All told, the Alabama law runs a whopping 20-pages.

   Many of the state's religious conservatives -- often noted for denouncing "big government" -- have signed-on to support Sen. Butler and the dildo ban, including Rev. Dan Ireland, executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program. He declared that dildos and other toys are "a nuisance and they certainly are conducive for promiscuity and loose morals."

   Rev. Ireland also suggested that the ban "may prevent a lot of health problems," and praised Butler for his "noble stand."

   Butler and his organization have been involved in other efforts to police community morals and behaviors. His Alabama Citizens Action Program worked closely with the Christian Coalition and churches throughout the state to battle a proposed education lottery. Ireland told reporters last fall, "We have always stood in opposition to all forms of gambling." But Ireland's problematic stance on choice and individual rights doesn't carry over to "special rights" legislation for religious movements. Last August, he and the Action Program threw their support behind the state's proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act which was approved at the polls by Alabama voters despite questionable constitutionality.

   While more enlightened citizens may take a position, "Are they really serious?," Butler, Ireland and other dildo ban supporters remain firm in their determination to stamp out the vibrating gadgets. They may be doing more harm than good, however, as national news media again focuses on the state for what many consider to be antediluvian views and practices. Barbara Walters mentioned the dildo ban on one of her programs, and the court case to challenge the law has attracted news interest from networks and stations even in Canada. Sen. Butler remains intransigent, and when confronted by the argument advanced by plaintiff Sherri Williams that doctors and sex therapists routinely prescribe such devices for patients, could only remark, "I don't care what they call it, therapeutic or whatever ... some of it's just plain trashy."

(Our thanks to AANEWS reader Larry Mundinger who keeps us posted on the culture wars in Alabama, a "land that time forgot." He aptly titled his e- mail about the dildo ban "Sex Toys R Us Alabamians.")

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