Um, No?: Topco's Fucked sex toy line » Hey Epiphora

07.23.10

Um, No?: Topco’s Fucked line

WARNING: There are several photos of paraphilia-inspired
sex toys in this entry that you may find totally disgusting.

Okay, so, Topco has this new toy line entitled Fucked, and… I’m don’t even know what to think about it. Not because of the gag factor (though that is definitely an issue), but because of the problematic nature of creating paraphilia-inspired toys. These toys range from the relatively tame (period sex and gaping ass) to the more icky (vomit and scat), to the possibly morally wrong. This line has the slogan “Beyond fetish, it’s FUCKED.”

Many thanks to Pretty Power Tools for letting me use her photos!

I approve of the Bleeding Pussy Stroker. Blood lubricant sounds awesome. I don’t approve of the tampon string, because holy fuck can you imagine getting fucked with a tampon in? But the point is that this is a harmless toy that may be fun for some people.

I feel similarly about the Shitting Ass Stroker and Vomiting Mouth Stroker (which come with “scented” shit and puke lube — wow), and the Gaping Asshole Stroker. (Sidenote: where’s the piss toy and matching lubricant?! Or is that fetish not “fucked” enough?)

And while the Rosebud Ass Stroker (which mimics rectal prolapse) is fairly disturbing, I’m not going to make a scene over it. But things get hazy when we come to the Bug Chaser Cock, Acrotomophilia Love Doll, and Teratophilia Cock.

On one hand, it’s cool Topco’s going there, and it’s cool that people with these fetishes can practice them safely with these toys. On the flipside, there is the prickly issue of fetishizing things that shouldn’t be fetishized (having HIV/AIDS, or being a person without certain limbs, or being “deformed”). These things go beyond Weird Shit that People Get Off On into some other territory entirely, where people are defined solely by particular attributes, and sexualized for them, which is disheartening. What I mean to say is, perhaps a person without a limb would be cool with seeing their body represented in a sex toy — if that sex toy weren’t part of a line called Fucked. And similarly, someone with HIV/AIDS could easily take offense to Topco’s condoning of “bug chaser” culture.

Then there’s the Hermaphrodite Cock, Pussy, and Ass, which I’m conflicted about. According to the Intersex Society of North America, hermaphroditism (being both fully male and fully female) is actually a “physiologic impossibility,” so I guess using the word hermaphrodite in the toy name is descriptive rather than inflammatory — though again, putting a toy like this in a line called Fucked is pretty inflammatory in its own right.

But there’s the problem of intent. Are we really supposed to believe that Topco is attempting to validate these “fetishes,” when they put them in a circus tent and call the line Fucked? It’s pretty clear that shock value is at the forefront here. But how surprised — or outraged — should we be?

I asked Sundae for her thoughts, and she said, “I just don’t believe Topco made those to cater to that market… they’re for jerkwad frat boys who want to outgross each other… making effectiviely ‘gag’ gifts in more ways than one.” (Oh, snap!)

Garnet Joyce also wrote a post about this line, to which Coyote had a very thoughtful response:

It’s not that people don’t have the right to fantasize… it’s more about this particular line and way it was displayed.

The packaging is all black with FUCKED across the box (cause you’re “fucked” if you want to fuck this). There’s an advisory sticker essentially calling you a “pussy” if you can’t take it and inside, there is an envelope which includes printed photos of the actual items/situations the products are modeled after.

. . . this line doesn’t come from an earnest place of exploring attraction but rather of the “freak” that was once part of the circus sideshow (the vendor’s booth was actually a circus tent and these products were in a black room to the side displayed on pedestals inside specimen jars).

This line affected many industry veterans deeply and I think we, as an industry, should take a moment to pause and reflect on why this is/isn’t the best way for us to move forward.

I think this is a very good point. Should we be worried that the only means of progress in the sex toy industry involves creating a line like this one? Or is this just an isolated line that will most likely be forgotten, like so many others?

What do you think? Shocking for shock’s sake? Boring or rage-inducing? A legitimate means for consumers to act out fantasies? Detrimental or just for fun? Discuss.

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Filed under Feminism's Not a Dirty Word, Um, No | 23 Comments

Tagged with disturbing, Topco

http://elodieonlove.com/ Elodie

The freak show thing is what bothers me most too, though I’m also bothered by fetishizing people (the acrotomophilia love doll, for instance). I think Sundae’s spot on with the purpose of this line.

They have a bondage “Asylum” line that is also packaged in a really creepy way. Instead of presenting a straightjacket as a fun bondage tool, for instance, they’re presenting it as something for people with a mental illness fetish. They’ve photographed the models to look “crazy” and upset.

Basically, I feel like Topco is marketing things in a way to make them seem dirty and wrong. I don’t see joy and fun here. It’s the opposite of what I think sex toy companies should be doing.
LucyLemonade

There seems to be a lot of things wrong with this line of sex toys. The simplest being that perpetuating the thought that it would be healthy to have intercourse with a girl who has a tampon in is scary. That reads some poor girl getting an infection and having to go to the doctor to get that tampon removed.

The blood, scat, and vomit ones perhaps aren’t that bad, though I don’t see anyone purchasing these as a fetish. I agree it would be more of a gross out factor.

But when it gets to the quadruple amputee and hermaphrodite I think both of those are disturbing. I have a friend who is very involved in the kink community and enjoys when people fetishize his amputated leg, but “fucking” an amputee doll screams power dynamic issues to me. I don’t like that disabled people who be put in the category of “gross fetishes”.

The hermaphrodite is mostly unrealistic and again placing intersex individuals in the “gross” category is worrying.

Personally knowing about this line of toys will make me avoid TopCo entirely.
http://kinky-world.net/ Kayla

They went for shock value on this line. The title says all of that. This isn’t a bad idea – honestly, it isn’t – the fetish culture could use something like this, but the way Topco went about it was wrong. And people have sexualized by particular attributes for ages – that, um, actually is the definition of a fetish. Finding a particular attribute or object sexual. Having products that showcase the fetish – now that’s new. Sorta. Sex toys of feet, hands, and breasts? Same thing. Just socially accepted fetishes.

On the note of watersports, I do wonder how that would go over to fetish-toy land. I really can’t think of a way unless the sleeve could pee on you during use?
http://outspokenclitic.com Outspoken Clitic

I’m torn. Anything that makes otherwise dangerous activities safe is probably a good thing, in my book. But at the same time I’m not sure all fetishes should be encouraged, especially those that demean others by reducing them to one attribute. Finding a particular attribute sexual is one thing, but I think you cross a line when you sexualize someone’s identity (for example, intersex) AND you call it “Fucked”. Because no one would want to be with an intersex person or an amputee unless they were TOTALLY FUCKED. That’s insulting to anyone with HIV, to anyone who is intersex, to anyone who has lost a limb.

On the other hand, including fetishes in a line called “Fucked” is kind of insulting to those who have those fetishes, so I’m not sure I’m really comfortable with this no matter what angle I’m coming at it from.
http://viewfromthefloor.com Carrie Ann

Most people that have “over the top” fetishes are quite happy to be called “fucked”.

Many people in the fetish scene compete to see who is the “most fucked”.

I’d like to see more opinion from the folks who fit either category – those with these fetishes or those these toys fetishize – and less from folks who enjoy are easily offended by things that have nothing to do with them.
Polly Vincere

While I recognize and am aware that some people like being called “fucked” (or “fucked up”) because of their fetishes or types of fetish-play, I am ONLY aware of this because of my experience reviewing sex toys. Reviewing made it possible for me to learn about the vast diversity of sexual preferences that I would NOT have otherwise had the opportunity to observe.

Although I have always been very interested in sexuality, gender, fetishes, et al, my personal enjoyment is limited to what I enjoy. Accordingly, had I not began reviewing sex toys I would likely have not started reading about people who are different than I. It seems logical to assume the majority of potential sex toy consumers are NOT as educated about such topics as sex toy reviewers and/or sex bloggers.

I think it’s perfectly acceptable for a company to create a line of products to cater to specific desires. I don’t approve of products that encourage certain desires, such as child molestation or actual rape. For example, I think it’s fine for people to act out consensual rape fantasies, but I don’t approve of rape porn that isn’t clearly a consensual rape scene.

My issue with these products is that I, and you and many others, are trying to show people that it’s “okay” to like and want to use sex toys. We also all strive to say “it’s okay if you like something different than everyone else.”

To market sex toys in a way that the common consumer would see them as “freakish” or purely as joke if said toys are INTENDED to provide means for such fetishes is ultimately hurtful to the sex toy industry. It is very possible someone who is looking to buy his/her/their first toy would see this in a store and suddenly lose confidence to pursue even a simple vibrator.

{This reminds me of the distasteful marketing by Fleshlight of the Mr. Limpy. That is a product that many people want or need that is purely marketed as a gag gift by its maker. Yes, they acknowledge it is used by trans- people, but they have always marketed it as joke. At least they’ve taken down those awful pictures they previously had. Sorry for the aside luv. }
http://outspokenclitic.com Outspoken Clitic

Does anyone know if these are being produced to be marketed? Or were they just a one-off exhibit?
http://drdicksexadvice.com dr dick

My take on this is that this is all about the money. And once again profits trump conscience in our business.

I ask myself, how does one gin-up an already bloated and besotted industry? Why simply by callously and cynically exaggerating the “freak” factor of human sex response, that’s how. Are we so jaded that we can countenance a new wave of novelties that exploits human weakness and frailty? Probably! But shame on us if it’s true.

I’d like to meet the “marketing guru” behind this stunt. What did it take to convince the otherwise conservative Topco executives that this was a winning strategy to capture a yet untapped market share?

I’ve worked all my adult life trying to understand and appreciate the myriad paraphilias that we humans exhibit. I might even go the distance and embrace the notion that providing a safe and relatively harmless novelty outlet for some of our more troublesome expressions might be a good thing, as some of you have suggested. Although my clinical experience tells me otherwise. But I will never accept Topco, or any other company, making a buck by denigrating something they don’t understand. And their Fucked line clearly indicates that they don’t comprehend or value human sexual diversity.

The circus sideshow atmosphere that surrounds the launch of this product line and its packaging tells us all we need to now. These products are supposed to appeal to our prurient interests. They are meant to goad the unsuspecting and unversed into making sport of something most of us can even fathom. Nice goin’!

Topco’s Fucked line is presented for its shock value. Unfortunately, I think they miscalculated the reason why we (I am) are shocked.
http://thecherryscoop.blogspot.com/ Sundae

Like my little snippet in the piece suggested, I’m not impressed by this range. Bottom line being I don’t care if people are into these things – they’re not my cup of tea by any stretch of the imagination, but if someone wants them, go right ahead. I’m sure there will be people with these fetishes who relish the chance to have a toy dedicated to them.

What I take issue with is the way Topco have marketed them. The whole freak-show thing, the smug press releases to combat the people who are disgusted and falling back on this whole ‘they’re educational’ thing doesn’t really wash with me. They made them to shock and to shake things up and to sell. I don’t think their team was honestly looking to improve the lives of people who enjoy these things, otherwise they would have been marketed differently. They’re just capitalising on all the hype and talk about such an extreme line.

All this from the same company who brought us the elegant, lovely oh-so-wonderful-and-perfect Vida line for the sophisticated woman. Kind of funny.
http://kinky-world.net/ Kayla

@Sundae:

From what I can tell, Vida really has nothing to do with Topco.
http://thecherryscoop.blogspot.com/ Sundae

@Kayla: Do you mean they’re not owned by Topco, or that Topco doesn’t have much to do with them?

From my understanding, the whole Vida line is owned by Topco, but they don’t actually use the Topco label because they’re trying to make Vida a separate, luxury brand. I get that they’re not trying to associate the two, because they want to crack into that elegant/sophisticated market and don’t want any connections to Topco (and have done pretty well keeping that out of the limelight).

However, they are actually run by Topco, as just a quick google found where Topco had sent out Vida products for review, the Vida facebook has a link to a page which discloses they are connected to Topco, comments by Topco staff, interlinking on Twitter etc. Some sites refer to Vida as a ‘sister’ company of Topco. Interpret that as you will – not sure what they actually mean by that, but basically though appearance wise they might not seem linked, they’re still running/owning/connected to the brand at a fundamental level.
3023ogilvyd

It’s hard to come to a good, solid judgment on this line for the simple reason that to an extent, I think most of these fetishes are by definition about their shock value — that the purveyors of bug chasers, or puke, or what have you, are into what they’re into because they’re able to conflate (or are unable to avoid conflating) arousal or desire with something else. I’m reminded of a novel I’m reading where the main character always found sexual things shameful, and her sexuality evolved, in a sense, to find shame arousing.

The line that can be debated here is whether the packaging, the freak-show advertisement of the contents, is necessary to provide that sense of shame. I would argue that it augments it, making the objects that much more desirable for people with those kinds of paraphilias. I’m also sure that people will use it to gross each other out, but people have been giving each other dildos and buttplugs for that puerile purpose, it seems, since time immemorial. It goes with the nature of sex toys in general, unfortunately.
http://darlingdove.blogspot.com/ Darling Dove

I see what people are saying about how its not cool that they try and showcase things as a freakshow.

But, Topco is a mainstream company and many of these things are relatively out of bounds. Just like the fat girl sex dolls are marketed in a jeering way, these things would probably flop entirely if Topco didn’t upsell the shock value and weirdness of them. I highly doubt many people will be buying them because they’re actually ‘into’ whatever it is that the toy is supposed to represent, considering Topco stuff 1. Takes a while to actually get into stores once its released and 2. Is usually in mainstream stores that don’t cater otherwise to people with these fetishes.

So I see it as something they’re doing to market the products not as a personal insult. Also, for what its worth, “amputee” type sex dolls have existed for a long time (they’re called like, love bodies or something in japan) they’re just not marketed as such, so I am a little numbed to that personally. It doesn’t look like they gave the doll bloody stumps or anything too bad.

But yeah. I see it as a marketing thing just like how, when I was a kid, places would market stuff like this bug-shaped-gummy candy making kit as being “EUWWWWW, GROSSSSS” so that people would want to get it to freak everyone else out, you know? I don’t think they’re actively TRYING to offend people but just to up the shock value so it will sell decently instead of people just being grossed out and walking away.
Jane Blow

“Sidenote: where’s the piss toy and matching lubricant?! Or is that fetish not “fucked” enough?” I thought the exact same thing and actually laughed to myself about it. I imagine a realistic set up would be something of an enema bag in either a vag/dick torso set up so a realistic amount of “piss” could be used – maybe it is in the works. The string for the Red Wings vag should be optional (and come with a few extra tampons)…but now we’re just getting nitpicky lol
I believe in educating the buyer, but most fetishists know the dangers – and toys are all about fantasy without danger.

From the release I received from my Topco Rep, they make no apologies and actually worked with a psychologist on the line (for over a year) in development.

They didn’t HAVE TO present it in a circus tent, that was for sure shock value (and it worked, look at all of us gabbing about it)… nor did they have to go so “this is for frat jokes” with the packaging either (yes, the line will be for sale, mostly to online customers but is also avail to the brick and mortar shops)… but it will look good on a shelf. Medical looking boxes (like Dr Berman) just doesn’t sell.

Also, for a second, imagine NOT buying these toys online. Imagine being extremely turned on by these paraphila and buying them if they were in a serious box instead of a jokey one.
I don’t judge a living soul for what they are into (until the rules of SSC are broken) but if someone put a serious box on my counter it would give me thought -and the want to ask them 1k questions- but if it is in a joke box, they are somewhat “protected”.

Along with not judging, I also don’t question people when they say they are buying the xxxl black dildo “for a friend’s bday party”. If they want to live in denial, or feel the need to protect themselves from the guilt they feel – then hey – I’ll be here when they’re ready to admit it too.

As for the Asylum line – sorry – but I’m stoked – there needs to be FAR MORE stuff in this line for the medical/insane/fantasy fetishists out there that is priced for the average Joe/Jane. The average toy buyer doesn’t mind shock value, it makes them feel more dirty. Those of us who are snobs, should be able to laugh (a little). imho.
http://www.prettypowertools.com Pretty Power Tools

yeah, with the period thing, i’ve heard that it’s painful for both parties with a tampon in lol. it’s a very unique line.
Remy

Buh? These are, uh… interesting. “(Sidenote: where’s the piss toy and matching lubricant?! Or is that fetish not “fucked” enough?)” My thoughts exactly. And is it even physically possible to shit while having anal sex? Really, now.
http://www.namelesschaos.com namelesschaos

You know reading this post now anyone else see the potential of using the blood lube in some short of Halloween vampire/ gore scene?

Speaking of which has anyone heard anything new about this line/ if it actually going to be released?
Selective Sensualist

While I may be turned off by a lot of these toys, it is none of my business what fetishes others have. It is the circus sideshow marketing of it that is disturbing though.

Historically, people who were featured in sideshows were denigrated and dehumanized. It is the population(s) of human beings who were the models for these toys who are being denigrated and disrespected by marketing these toys to suggest that only someone who is truly “fucked” and into circus sideshow “freaks” could possibly ever find someone with these conditions appealing.
Cherie

I wrote this letter to my boss the day after these products arrived at the Adult Store I am employed at;

Hi Boss, 22/12/2010

Just a side note regarding the new Topco stock, “Beyond Fetish. It’s Fucked.”

I love the entire concept of making these types of toys available for the ‘fucked’ up type of fetish fanatics and immature dick wads who’s only objective is to ‘outgross’ other immature dick wads.

My only grief is the Amputee love doll and the Hermaphrodite. I feel the packaging degenerates people who have lost a limb or are of multi-sex, 99% of the time through no fault of their own. I feel that having it in a box that states that it is FUCKED totally demeans any customer we may get that is an amputee or has deformity of the genitals or has known one on a personal level. We have She-Male dolls and we have blow up Animals that people can fuck, yet these are displayed freely as a socially acceptable fetish. I feel that the love doll would sell well in packaging that is consumer friendly and not shameful. As for the Hermaphrodite, the toy itself does not physically possible exist. Being attracted to someone who is an amputee or a Hermaphrodite is not what I personally would consider a ‘FUCKED’ fetish. They are average people with extraordinary stories.

We had a huge debate at home around the table last night regarding this range. I googled the products, showed them the pics and we had a lengthy discussion about moral and social implications and about how to best put them out on the shelves.

I would hate to offend anyone and a prime example is our advertising postcards. They are not offensive, had no explicit writing and don’t mention the word SEX anywhere, yet a man found it very disturbing that there was one in his mailbox. Obviously this is probably someone who wouldn’t necessarily visit our stores anyway, what worries me is the customers we already have and future customers who are still negotiating with themselves as to whether to even ENTER our store – such first time purchasers/visitors, may stumble upon Topco’s FUCKED range and as humans we are curious, open a package and then decide against purchasing even just a small vibrator! Everyone has a tendency to remember the gross or bad stuff over the good stuff. No one will walk out talking about the We-Vibe or the Lelo range to their friends and partners if they happen to lay eyes on the it’s fucked range.

Side note – We ALL know that the picture are computer generated and just adds an entire ‘Novelty’ feel to the products, however, I expect them to be FAR too expensive and ‘disturbing’ to be sold as a novelty product.

Some of these products are a ‘Human Centipede’ level of disgusting.

Thanks for letting me vent.
Cherie.
http://heyepiphora.com Epiphora

@Cherie: Everyone has a tendency to remember the gross or bad stuff over the good stuff. No one will walk out talking about the We-Vibe or the Lelo range to their friends and partners if they happen to lay eyes on the it’s fucked range.

Yep, very good point.
Marizipan

I hope that this line is just for shock value. I also hope that, while people may be disgusted, they do not react with rage, but instead do not give Topco the reaction they created this line for.

When I first heard of the line, I just assumed that it was another fetish line (to each his own, I’m not going to judge anyone about what they’re attracted to), but when I saw the Teratophilia and Bug Chaser Cocks, it became heartbreakingly clear that this has nothing to do with people who have fetishes, only getting a reaction from the public. If the products themselves aren’t enough to prove they’re a gag gift meant to literally make you gag, then the packaging is what makes it clear, just as Coyote said: “The packaging is all black with FUCKED across the box (cause you’re “fucked” if you want to fuck this). There’s an advisory sticker essentially calling you a “pussy” if you can’t take it and inside, there is an envelope which includes printed photos of the actual items/situations the products are modeled after.”
It’s just a gimmick to gross people out and mock people who are deformed or who have HIV.

And what is with the tampon one? That one creeps me out the most and kind of makes me wonder if it’s some kind of rape fantasy gone even more wrong than a rape fantasy in the first place. It’s like someone wanted to commit such a horrible crime and the victim was on their period to boot. I mean, it comes with blood lube. Maybe that’s just me thinking too much into it, or maybe Topco just wanted us to think about these various issues, and this grotesque display was how they tried to get their point across. Although they could have found a better way, if that was the case.

You know, I’m not going to erase the rest of my post because I think I made some fairly good points, considering I’m speculating, but maybe the reason Topco made these was to show us just how fucked up our culture can be? I don’t know why anyone would actually want to buy any of these products, to be honest, but I think the real point behind them was to address some of the issues. To be fair, though, IF I had lost a limb, had HIV/AIDS, or was suffering from rectal prolapse, I would be pretty pissed to see this line calling me Fucked.
Billy Boldman

ROCK ON, TOPCO! This line is awesome! Freaks and perverts rejoice! About time some real edginess was introduced into sex toys. Not everything in the universe has to be politcally correct.
Sagemoon

I’m going to comment in *defense* of this line of toys, and I’m going to tell you why. It’s a similar reason to why I defend the slut-pride culture – If we can all recall, the Slut Walks were started when a cop decided to say that women “shouldn’t dress like sluts” if they don’t want to be raped. If a person decides to rape someone, it’s not based on what they were wearing. It’s based on the abuser not having self-control, and getting off on the feeling of controlling someone else. It has nothing to do with the sex, and everything – EVERYTHING – to do with control.

That being said, if a person ends up going off and becoming a “bug chaser” simply because they saw a sex toy that seemingly “validated” their fetish and made it feel like it was okay to do this in real life, that person is definitely fucked — way before these toys were ever made. This line, to me, is working off of those who seek degradation (from both the Dominant and submissive sides) and not to validate the real-life act.

If an amputee were offended by a sex toy made to look like them, then I think everyone who uses a sex toy should be offended by their ability to get off. Sex toys are not made to offend, they’re made to get people off. If someone wants to take offense to that because of how it was displayed and what the title is called, I think that person needs to reassess how personally they take that and all other things in their life. It wasn’t made for them, it was made for those that enjoy the fetish.

Furthermore, it’s not what these toys are, but how they are used. If someone assumes that this is validating all of the acts depicted from trusting that “the government” will take care of everything for you and censor others for you when someone says an unpopular opinion is at best immature, and at worst detrimental to understanding that everyone has the right to their own opinion and to control themselves.

If a person doesn’t know how to keep the sex toy in perspective and separate fact from fiction, than they need to stop themselves and seek out some help. But it’s certainly not the sex toy’s fault.

If anything, these toys have offered a fabulous dialogue, and they certainly aren’t making people suddenly enjoy the luxurious HIV/AIDS epidemic that has hurt so many peoples lives. If you cant manage your own reality of what’s right and wrong, you will inevitably fuck yourself, and not in the good way.

My vote – Awesome toys, let people use them if they want.

Lastly, you said “Should we be worried that the only means of progress in the sex toy industry involves creating a line like this one? Or is this just an isolated line that will most likely be forgotten, like so many others?” I believe this is neither. This is not the only means of progress by any means. If you think it is, do you really know the sex industry?