ABOUT — Organic sausage, organic clothes, and now more politically correct safe sex? What makes that such an imminent topic?

The Cologne native saw top sales for years as a condom king and made headlines in business magazines. His company "Condomi" broke all sales records in the ‘90s, but went bankrupt in 2004 due to management mistakes. Gothe sold his shares just in time and now accounts for the politically correct "erection clothing.” His successor company "Lebenslust" produces eco-friendly rubber from the India rubber plant, which is grown and harvested through ethical labor. Gothe creates jobs in India and guarantees products that are made without child labor. Indian parents who work for Goethe can be sure their children have a chance to go to school."It's not about a few barrels of latex. The world uses more than 15 billion condoms annually," says Gothenburg.
About talks with Goethe about politically correct sex, purposeful provocation, and condoms for children:

OLIVER GOTHE — Would you use a condom with latex you know children have made for $2.50 on 12 hour workdays?

A — Okay, you’ve got a point. Nevertheless, you are an entrepreneur. So, what drives you?

OG — I find it meaningful to raise social consciousness or change through my work. These days it should be emphasized to take an active stance in influencing socially relevant values and positive action.

OG — New sources of information have come to light and sharpened our consciousness. In my first career as a condom manufacturer, I used latex from an African plantation for years. Their work conditions were irrefutably "unfair." If I had known that at the time, I would definitely have shopped elsewhere. Today we examine decimated conditions and ask ourselves to what extent we can become eco-friendly with the product.

A — Political correctness and safe sex – why wasn’t there a combined effort for this in "Condomi"?

A — "lebenslust" is the first supplier of condoms and sex toys with a TÜV seal on its products. Why is it that this kind of quality control is just now coming into play? In the end almost all products are tested in Germany for the heart and kidneys.

OG — There are different legal views on how sex toys are classified. One can say in every case that they may not negatively impact the health of the user as a natural requirement. Many sex toys produced in China that are banned in Germany can be chemically harmful. They are not fit to be used in a human orifice. The consumers recognize that. We wanted to assure them of product safety with a TÜV seal. Our products are guaranteed pollutant free, which unfortunately is not a given in the industry.

A — — That’s all well and good, but how will your products reach the appropriate markets?

OG — We have found that more and more customers are discovering our products where they are listed. Naturally it takes a while to reach all the consumers that we would like to try our products. Because our goals are long-term, we’re developing one step at a time. By working with "Condomi," I learned that slow progress can be better in the long run.

A — After your founding role in "Condomi," you began the firm "Lebenslust". Do people take its motto "condoms for children" seriously?

OG — The title of our press action "condoms for children" was obviously meant to be somewhat provocative, because we wanted to get attention. Actually, the purchase of our condoms means that the buyer is taking action against unethical child labor; therefore supporting children.