Boston mayor balks at vibrator giveaway

BOSTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's administration is trying to stop Trojan from distributing free sex toys on City Hall Plaza.

Michael Galvin, Menino's property management czar, wrote a letter to Massivemedia, Trojan's marketing firm, asking them to cancel plans to give out free vibrators on City Hall Plaza, the Boston Herald reported Thursday.

"I would tell you in the strongest terms allowable that I feel this is an inappropriate and irresponsible use for the plaza," Galvin wrote in the letter to Massivemedia's Robert Rukstalis. "City Hall Plaza provides access to City Hall for constituents from all walks of life including many families and children ... I request that you find an alternative site for your product distribution."

Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce said the mayor's concern is keeping the plaza family friendly.

"We would rather them not be in a very public space where children are exposed," Joyce said.

However, officials acknowledged they have no legal means of stopping the giveaway because the "public nature" of the plaza guarantees constitutional protection for the company.