By Patrick Metzger

Clockwise from top left:the SpareParts vegan dildo harness, the PureWand stainless steel hypoallergenic dildo, a selection of Hathor organic oils and lubricants, and the Hitachi Magic Wand plug-in electric vibrator.
Are you tired of going to the clinic for mysterious STDs that turn out to be allergic reactions to cheap lubricants? Worried about landfills clogged with non-biodegradable disposable dildos? Fed up with the noise and smell of that coal-powered vibrator you inherited from your grandmother? Well, you’re in luck. In celebration of Earth Month, Toronto sex shop Come As You Are is highlighting a growing range of ethical and eco-friendly sexual accessories.
The array of environmentally conscious products includes everything from organic massage oils to vibrators made from pure medical grade silicone (many sex toys contain phthlates, a group of chemical compounds used to treat plastic, which are controversial because of possible adverse effects on human health). There are also simulated leather restraints and harnesses for the niche market of vegan BDSM enthusiasts.
CAYA co-owner Gill Lamon notes that in the past, some elements in the sex accessory industry have relied on shame to keep people from asking awkward questions about what their toys were made of. However, as society becomes less embarrassed about sex and more concerned about health and the environment, more “positive” sex stores like CAYA are popping up to service the ethical consumer.
Gill also offers this advice to buyers of sex toys: “You should be careful of anything you put inside your body that’s heavily scented. The ones that smell the worst, usually are the worst.”
2007 marks the 10th anniversary of Come As You Are, located at 701 Queen Street West.