Sex Stores
Abstract
This chapter examines the social history of sex stores and the role they played in the growth of post-war sexual consumer culture. It traces the rise of early erotic entrepreneurs, such as Beate Uhse-Rotermund and Rueben Sturman, and discusses how, starting in the 1970s, feminist sex toy stores helped transform the sex industry from the inside out by creating a market for female consumers. From bastions of male desire to epicenters of feminist liberation, this chapter positions sex shops as key sites of distribution, sexuality education, and public concern.
Fields of Study & Subjects
European history and politics
Sexuality
Behavior
and Technology
Sex work and related issues
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Intellect eBooks
- Pages
- 328–341
- Publication date
- 8 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter