The political climate took a Victorian turn over the last month, thanks to the debate over President Obama’s birth-control mandate for health-insurance policies, which has morphed into a debate about birth control, period. Last week, a wealthy backer of Rick Santorum’s fondly reminisced about the days when “gals” practiced contraception by holding Bayer aspirin “between their knees.” (Did Bayer appreciate the product placement?) Santorum himself is on the record as having said, “One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country. It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.” Santorum—who recent polls say is the leading presidential candidate of a major American political party, a good 12 years into the 21st century—has grudgingly conceded he wouldn’t actually outlaw contraception, but a half-dozen or so states are considering “personhood” amendments or ballot initiatives, which would effectively ban forms of birth control that have been widely used for decades.

The underlying tenor of this debate begs a natural question: what about chastity belts? Are there pockets of America where they’re still in use? If so, where you can buy them? (Outside of a Medieval Times gift shop, that is.) A quick, eye-opening search revealed that Amazon offers a couple dozen different models in its Health & Personal Care store, while eBay offers more than 200. It should be noted that many are models for men, and that the design and packaging of many belts made for men and women alike imply they are used for role-playing and bondage activities rather than strictly for ensuring continence. (Certainly a “ chastity belt G-string thong” sends a mixed message.) But many other chastity-belt models look as if they will do the old trick.

I phoned one of the leading manufacturers, Chastity Belts USA—maker of “The Keeper” and “The Guardian,” among other models to seek further enlightenment.

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*VF Daily:*Have you noticed an uptick in sales given the recent debate about contraception?





Donald Hayes, owner, Chastity Belts USA: We’ve had a bit of a boost in sales, but that’s typical this time of year, at tax time. I think [tax refunds] drive sales of any kind of non-essential items. People have some extra money, they say, Okay, I’ll buy some toys.

Do you have a sense of how many of your belts are bought for “play” and how many for actually keeping someone chaste?

For most people who buy them, there’s a control factor, no doubt about it. It kind of depends on the kind of belt. If they buy a leather model, that’s usually for play. If it’s stainless steel, it tends to be more of a control thing.

Do you sell more stainless steel or leather?

More stainless, by far. We probably sell one leather belt for every 20 stainless. Another thing is, it's probably 20 percent female models, 80 percent male.

Men are really avoiding sex that way?

Well, when a woman buys one for a man, it’s usually for play. When a man buys one for a woman, it’s usually control. I’ve had soldiers buy them for their wives or partners when they’re going overseas.

Well, great. Thanks. I think I’ve learned enough about chastity belts.

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