Which new term might help give the sex tech industry the respect it deserves?
A short time ago we asked you, dear readers, if you had any suggestions for a better term to replace “sex toys.”
We were prompted to do so after receiving a thought-provoking tweet from sex tech entrepreneur and MakeLoveNotPorn [NSFW] founder Cindy Gallop earlier this year. We had tweeted out an article bemoaning the lack of gender diversity in the design and marketing of sex toys.
Unimpressed with our choice of words, Gallop said the sex tech industry isn’t taken seriously and part of the problem is the “toy” in “sex toy.” It trivializes the technology, she later added.
Gallop has a point. The sex tech industry often isn’t taken seriously. Venture capitalists don’t invest in startups. The stigma associated with sex also keeps talented people from taking jobs in the field. So the industry struggles to make due with a shortage of financial and intellectual resources.
The quickest way to make people think differently about something, is to change the language around it. @FutureofSex https://t.co/1siLI39vdn
— Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) October 24, 2017
But will ditching the term “sex toys” really make a difference? Some of you shared your thoughts and proposed replacements with us on Twitter.
First, let’s give the sex tech industry a round of applause for how far it’s come. We have dropped retrograde and clinical phrases from popular vocabulary.
Wasn’t that the improved name from sexual assistance device?… lolz.
— OR4Now (@Or4Now) October 24, 2017
When I was young “sex toys” were called “marital aids.” LOL
— Kirk (@CreechingHand) October 24, 2017
Then we received some creative ideas:
Erotech accessories.
— Neil BOOliver Fans (@NeilOliverFans) October 23, 2017
(Not bad.)
Amorous Aids for Adventuresome Adults
— Barry Parsley (@BarryNParsley) October 24, 2017
Shortened to AAAA? Sounds like a battery or a car-towing service.
‘Joy Facilitator’? ‘Orgasmatron’? Not sure. https://t.co/BiIjSaXP48
— A.F. Waddell (@afwaddell) October 23, 2017
Folks also seem to enjoy including the word “pleasure” in their proposed phrases, which isn’t surprising since “pleasure products” has gained traction on some adult retail sites.
Pleasure Pal
— Jim Logan (@logie67) October 23, 2017
I have always referred to #SexToys as #PleasureProducts. It’s all about the #SexualPleasure whether single or couple #enjoy ? @cindygallop https://t.co/XMItkCVCRm
— SexTherapyAustralia (@sextherapyaust) October 23, 2017
We have started to use “pleasure product.”
— MoreThanSexToys™ (@MoreThanSexToys) October 24, 2017
Pleasure interactives
— Nder Wiggin (@AI1971TheMovie) November 3, 2017
Pleasure probe? Joy Toy? Orgasm Producer? Climax Solution Products? Mostly, I think I’m happy to stick with #sextoys.
— Rose Crompton (@RoseC_Leic) November 3, 2017
Others said we should keep using “sex toys,” including a commenter who liked the term because it links to the idea of sex being fun.
I prefer the word “toy!” https://t.co/BvDit2VRlG This is play! What do you want it to be, work?
— Eλf Sternberg (@elfsternberg) October 26, 2017
Issue not light-heartedness but trivialization, given lack of support for #sextech https://t.co/InZesLzD4i Investors don’t take us seriously
— Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) October 24, 2017
Gallop herself said her team at AllTheSky Holdings will unveil a new category term “when the time is right.”
In the meantime, she’s chimed in with her own idea. I’m not sure whether she’s pleasantly trolling us with her simple and appropriate suggestion or if we’ve been seriously overthinking this whole thing.
I have one. ? #sextech
— Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) October 22, 2017
What are your thoughts? Is “pleasure products” the way to go? Should we just say “sex tech”? Has Jenna taken this conversation way too far? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
