What a treat I had in store when I contacted Kim Airs, the “sexpert” for Pipedream, a humongous manufacturer of sex toys.  Not only is she incredibly humorous, but she also suggested that we could invite local members to learn about sex toys and tour the factory.

Talk about having a blast and a half.  I’m the Western Regional Rep for AASECT, the largest organization of sexuality therapists, educators and counselors, so I get the opportunity to call and welcome new members.

So we aimed for Friday, November 13.  We only had a few members attend, including AASECT past president Patti Britton and new member Holly Richmond, but a good time was had by all.  First, Kim gave us a tour of the giant showroom filled with racks and racks of toys of every type, color, material, and purpose imaginable.  She pulled vibrators out and put in batteries so we could feel the difference in intensity.  She let us examine Japanese-style masturbation sleeves for men.  And we learned all about the different lubes (Pipedream’s bestseller is a lube called Moist).  Then there’s the Fetish line—not for the faint at heart, but certainly intriguing for anyone who wants to try roleplay.  Dominatrix and slave in a box!

Sex toys can be an important part of sex therapy treatment.  They let men and women experiment with sensation, either privately or together.  They help with orgasm in a way that is low key and non-pressured but still very arousing.  Things like lubricants permit both vaginal and anal intercourse to be more comfortable.  For people who don’t have a partner, they can be essential.  For people that do, they are a terrific adjunct.

Okay, so seeing a giant tub filled with disembodied purple penises is a little weird.  And watching the mild-mannered Latino men and women going about their jobs as if they were making widgets was unexpected.  The factory is incredibly clean and organized, though.

One of Kim’s jobs is to answer questions from people that have bought their products, even though they don’t sell anything directly to the public.  She told us that when one woman complained that her husband bought her a dildo that was too large, she naturally told the woman that the product couldn’t be returned, “but perhaps you can use it as a doorstop.”  In the anything goes world of sex toys, it’s a perfectly fine answer.

Last words from Kim for women on how to pick a sex toy:  “Use your eyes.  If one sense is drawn to a certain shape or color, that’s your body telling you something, so pay attention.”

Thanks, Kim, for an entertaining and fascinating morning.

(In photo L to R, Dr. Patti Britton, yours truly, Holly Richmond, and Kim Airs.)

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