ALL THE BUZZZZZ: WOMEN MAKING GENDER AND SEXUALITY AT SEX-TOY PARTIES IN ST. LOUIS BY DONNA M WHITE DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012 Urbana, Illinois Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor Martin Manalansan, Chair Associate Professor Ellen Moodie Professor Arlene Torres Professor Elizabeth Pleck ABSTRACT This ethnography explores the popular culture of in-home female-only sex-toy sales parties in St. Louis, Missouri. In particular, it examines how women socially construct gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and identity, through consumptive practices and conversations. As female-only spaces, women create these parties as safe spaces to consume intimate merchandise, perform dynamic identities, and enact captivating performances of gender and sexuality. At sex-toy-parties, women undergo sexual liberations; and they make revealing statements about their sexual identities, behaviors, fetishes, and deviances. Women bond and gossip about everything from national politics to neighborhood church scandals. Women at these intimate-product parties discuss and reveal intimate sexual desires, taboos, and indulgences. They also speak openly about their newly acquired sexual commodities and sexual liberations. In a conservative and southern cultured space, like St. Louis, these parties are intriguing spaces to better understand just how women socially construct their sexual identities, alter their sexual behaviors, and become enlightened about their bodies, minds, souls, and sexualities. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank Dr. Matti Bunzl for seeing my potential at the airport in Washington D.C., back in 2001. We had just made it through that year’s American Anthropological Association Conference and were waiting for our flights. Dr. Bunzl saw potential in me and urged me to apply to the Graduate Program. That serendipitous moment was the beginning of a 10 year relationship with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In that time, I have had the pleasure and honor of working with many talented intellectuals. I would next like to thank Dr. Arlene Torres for literally taking the suitcases out of my hands in my first year. I was fed up with graduate school, had mentally packed my suitcases, and was ready to leave. Thanks for coming to visit me at my place, sharing a cup of tea with me, and talking some common sense into me. Your kindness and mentorship are greatly appreciated. I’d also like to thank Dr. David Roediger, who always took a stand for me. Who saw the best in me, and always had positive encouraging words to offer. Thanks for talking me through that anxiety attack (with hives) in my second year. Thanks for all your ongoing support. I also want to thank Dr. Elizabeth Pleck for all the qualities mentioned above and many more. Thanks for your guidance, inspiration, and sense of humor in times that were bleak. I learned so much from you and I will always cherish our journey to the Kinsey Institute Sexuality Conference. I also want to thank Dr. Ellen Moodie for having blind faith in my iii research. You have been a major part of my completing this doctoral process. Thanks for your constructive criticism, intellectual support, and positivity. I must say THANKS to Dr. Martin Manalansan. Words can not express my gratitude and appreciation for everything you have done to support, advocate, and nurture me (and my ethnography) throughout the entire doctoral journey. This would not have been possible without you. Thanks for always talking me in off the ledge when I was ready to jump. Thanks for believing in me (and my ethnography) when others were skeptical and absent. Thanks for taking a stand for me. Thanks for encouraging me to be myself and complete this doctoral journey my way. Looks like we made it! Cheers…Here’s to “crouchless” and “crotchless” panties! I would like to also thank Mrs. Elizabeth Spears, our Graduate Coordinator. Thanks for always guiding me through the ever-winding tunnels of bureaucracy throughout the entire doctoral process. From day one, you’ve had my back with the multitudes of forms, deadlines, and procedures. Also, thanks for your unyielding laughter, warm smiles, and encouragement. Namaste…Everyone. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures………………………………………………………………………………….vi Introduction: Sex on the Beach & Vibrating Bullets……………………………………..1 Chapter 1: Watermelon Jell-O Shots & Fuzzy Handcuffs: Socio-Sexual History…21 Chapter 2: Cherry Mimosas & Neon Pink Anal Beads: Orientations………………..36 Chapter 3: Lemon-Drop Shots & Strap-On Dildos: Feminisms………………………58 Chapter 4: Cosmopolitans & Triple-Action Vibrators: The Sex-Toy Party…………81 Chapter 5: Cadillac Margaritas & Crotchless Panties: The Interviews…………….118 Chapter 6: Pineapple Bellinis & Frozen Glass Anal Beads: Analysis……………..145 Conclusion: Bloody Marys & Screaming Dual-Orgasms…………………………….169 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………….183 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Gateway Arch ....................................................................................... 22 Figure 2 Greek olisbos ........................................................................................ 25 Figure 3 American Vibrator Company Advertisements ....................................... 27 Figure 4 Catalog Advertisement Vibrator ............................................................ 29 Figure 5 Patty Brisben ........................................................................................ 31 Figure 6 Pat Davis .............................................................................................. 32 Figure 7 Joanne Webb ........................................................................................ 34 Figure 8 Dual-Ended Dildo ................................................................................. 37 Figure 9 Sex Toys .............................................................................................. 41 Figure 10 Japanese Dual-Action Vibrators ........................................................ 43 Figure 11 Sex-Toys ............................................................................................. 47 Figure 12 Glass Dildos ........................................................................................ 49 Figure 13 Sexual Revolution Advertisement ....................................................... 67 Figure 14 Sex-Positive Advertisement ................................................................ 69 Figure 15 Love Yourself Advertisement ............................................................. 70 Figure 16 Feminist Philosophy in Catalog ........................................................... 74 Figure 17 Advertisement for Sales Representative ............................................ 75 Figure 18 Starter Kit ............................................................................................ 76 Figure 19 The Sex-Toy Party Sales Consultant .................................................. 77 Figure 20 Ad for Hosting a Party ........................................................................ 78 Figure 21 Sex-Toy Party Sales-Representatives ................................................ 80 Figure 22 Dual-Action Vibrators in Catalog ......................................................... 87 Figure 23 Sex-Toy Party Sales Catalog .............................................................. 88 Figure 24 Party Spread ....................................................................................... 90 Figure 25 Aphrodisiac Party Foods ..................................................................... 90 Figure 26 Genital Themed Items at Sex-Toy Parties ......................................... 91 Figure 27 Merchandise Sales Tables ................................................................. 92 Figure 28 Pass the Penis Game ......................................................................... 93 Figure 29 Merchandise Featured in Phase 2 ...................................................... 94 Figure 30 Sales Representative Sampling Creams ............................................ 95 Figure 31 Sampling the Edible Massage Oils ..................................................... 96 Figure 32 Massage Set Demonstration ............................................................... 97 Figure 33 During Sales-Presentation .................................................................. 98 Figure 34 Merchandise in the 3rd Phase ........................................................... 99 Figure 35 Sex-Toys Disguised .......................................................................... 100 Figure 36 Vibrator & Dildo Passed Around Circle ............................................. 101 Figure 37 Nose Sensitivity Gage...................................................................... 101 Figure 38 Rabbit-Style Dual-Action Vibrator ..................................................... 102 Figure 39 Passing Dual-Action Toys in Circle ................................................... 103 Figure 40 Sales Rep Showcasing Triple-Action Vibrator .................................. 105 Figure 41 After Sales-Presentation Ends ......................................................... 106 Figure 42 Sex-Toys as Inventory ...................................................................... 107 Figure 43 Male Masturbator (add-on sale) .......................................................