The Pentagon has urged a Toronto-based sex toy shop to halt shipments of certain products to military personnel stationed in Bahrain. The cofounder of Bonjibon, Grace Bennett, discovered the unusual request after opening two returned packages originally sent to a US naval base in the Gulf nation.
According to reports from CTV News, the letters from the Pentagon indicated that items classified as “pornographic materials or devices” are prohibited from entering Bahrain. While this might suggest a reaction based on moral grounds, the reality is that local laws strictly forbid such items.
Bennett noted that her business does not ship products to Bahrain due to these regulations. She suspects someone may have forwarded the packages to Navy personnel after purchasing them from abroad. “We didn’t even know it was going to Bahrain until it came back to us months later,” she explained. “It just kind of unraveled this whole… hilarious moment.”
The letters from the Pentagon took a pointed tone, leading Bennett to express her frustration. “This sounds like a you problem,” she remarked, pointing out that whoever ordered the items failed to follow the Pentagon’s Transportation Command guidelines. These 2024 instructions clearly list prohibited items, including sex toys and other pornographic materials.
Understanding the Regulations
The Navy’s Naval Supply Systems Command has published a “Bahrain Moving Tips” leaflet which highlights that no pornographic material should be shipped or brought into the conservative Gulf nation. This list includes not only sex toys but also handcuffs, nudity magazines, and various other items deemed inappropriate.
Items shipped to Bahrain undergo x-ray inspections by customs, with the warning that any contraband will be confiscated and destroyed. The inclusion of such guidelines underscores the cultural sensitivities surrounding sexuality in Bahrain, a nation where sexual topics remain largely taboo.
Bennett acknowledged the humor in the situation, yet expressed disappointment that her customers did not receive their orders. “I’m sad that they didn’t get their order,” she stated. “There’s many layers of hilarity to this that we can all just poke fun at.”
While the incident has sparked laughter, it also raises broader questions about sexual expression and the challenges faced by military personnel living abroad. Sexual violence continues to be a serious issue within the US military, and discussions around gender identity and sexuality remain contentious.
Ultimately, the request from the Pentagon serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in navigating cultural norms, especially for those serving in foreign countries.
