in bed with the government.
The surprising history of laws that follow us into the bedroom.
Governments have long weighed in on what happens behind closed doors. From laws governing contraception and sex education to restrictions on where people can legally have sex, lawmakers have spent more than 150 years shaping some of our most personal decisions.
While it might seem surprising that legislation has reached into the bedroom, it's hardly new. In the United States, lawmakers have been regulating intimacy since the 19th century. What began with obscenity laws and restrictions on contraception has evolved into debates over reproductive rights, sex education, and sexual wellness.
Here's a look at some of the strangest, most controversial, and most consequential ways governments have tried to regulate sex throughout history.
on condoms.
In 1873, the Comstock Laws criminalized the use of the U.S. Postal Service to send anything deemed "obscene or immoral," including (but not limited to) condoms. In the early 20th century, condoms were often sold discreetly, hidden behind pharmacy counters, or distributed through select physicians who sometimes operated in legal gray areas.
It wasn't until concerns about sexually transmitted infections among military personnel and the growing family planning movement that attitudes began to shift. Over time, condoms evolved from contraband to a widely accepted public health tool, though debates around access and education continue to this day.
on locations of sexual acts.
Certain states have long maintained laws regulating where people can legally have sex. Among the stranger examples: while riding in an ambulance (Utah), in your car regardless of where it's parked (Virginia), in a walk-in meat freezer (Wyoming), and in a graveyard (North Carolina).
While many of these laws are rarely enforced, they remain reminders of just how specific governments can get when legislating intimacy.
on sex education.
Sex education remains one of the most politically contested areas of public policy in the United States. While some states require medically accurate, comprehensive instruction, others continue to emphasize abstinence or place restrictions on discussions of contraception, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As a result, what students learn about sex still depends heavily on where they live.
Across the country, sex education remains one of the clearest examples of how government policy shapes personal life, with curricula varying dramatically from state to state.
on vibrators.
In 1998, Alabama passed legislation restricting the sale of devices intended primarily for sexual stimulation. The law sparked national debate and multiple legal challenges, with opponents arguing that the state had no business regulating private sexual wellness tools. Although enforcement has been rare in recent years, the law remains one of the country's most well-known examples of government regulation of sexual wellness products.
The controversy produced one of the more memorable quotes in sex-law history when a local shop owner reportedly declared, "They are going to have to pry this vibrator from my cold, dead hand."
on masturbation.
In 2017, Texas state representative Jessica Farrar introduced a satirical bill that would have fined men $100 each time an emission was not clearly seeking an egg (sound familiar?). The proposal was never expected to become law. Instead, it served as commentary on abortion restrictions and the extent to which governments regulate reproductive choices.
The bill highlighted an ongoing question at the center of many sex-related laws: where should government involvement end and personal autonomy begin?
on intimacy.
For generations, lawmakers have attempted to regulate everything from contraception and obscenity to sex toys and sexual education. Some policies were rooted in public health concerns, others in religious values, and many reflected the cultural norms of their time.
Today, debates surrounding reproductive rights, access to contraception, LGBTQIA+ rights, IVF, sex education, online age-verification laws, and sexual wellness continue to reshape legislation across the United States. What once centered on obscenity laws and contraceptive bans has expanded into broader conversations about bodily autonomy, privacy, public health, and personal freedom.
What comes next? We're not sure. But if history tells us anything, lawmakers aren't likely to leave the bedroom anytime soon.
