Stop asking me if I’m a Top or Bottom. Not every gay guy likes anal

Stop asking me if I’m a Top or Bottom. Not every gay guy likes anal

Bradley Birkholz feels liberated as a side and wants you to banish the ‘butthole binary’ with him.

In today’s world, it still feels like there are binaries everywhere.

And in the gay male community, no binary is so worshipped as the distinction between the anal sex loving – tops and bottoms.

Like many young gay guys, when I first came out, I wondered where I fit into the ‘anal sex spectrum.’ Butt sex seemed glamorous, easy and enticing. But that’s probably because the only way I saw this magical act was through gay porn.

I was told that the only way to lose your gay virginity was through penetrating or being penetrated.

Indeed, according to some, I had to do both!

So freshly out of the closet, I was eager to lose my butthole v-card. But as many fresh faces into the world of sex have to learn the hard way, anal sex wasn’t as fun or simplistic as it had appeared on Pornhub. I learned it could be painful, awkward, and messy.

When you’re a sexually active gay man, there’s an expectation that you (and every other gay guy) must enjoy and have loads of anal sex. Going into encounters, most guys just sort of expect anal sex to happen.

And yet every time I get asked which position I prefer, I find that saying “I’m versatile” just doesn’t cut it.

After all, the truth is, I’ve never much liked anal sex.

But, whilst exploring my sexuality, I began discovering a world of sex far beyond the realm of butt sex. And it turns out, I wasn’t alone in seeing non-penetrative intercourse as sex – and I actually prefer it.

I found out from a sex-positive blog that these individuals are called Sides. These men either don’t have anal sex at all or are just not bothered by it. I immediately resonated with the latter.

Forget Top or Bottom. I’m a liberated Side.

If you haven’t already decided for yourself whether you’re active or passive in the bedroom, somebody has probably decided it for you. Popular opinion will have you believe that if you’re effeminate, you’re a Bottom, and if you’re masculine, you’re a Top.

But beyond the world of shallow stereotyping and simplistic views of a complex, beautiful sexuality exists those like me – the Sides. And of course, all of those who don’t conform to the stereotypes.

For me, it was like all of a sudden, the anxiety of whether or not you’re compatible with that cute boy from the club isn’t relevant anymore. When you’re a Side, you get to have fun no matter what.

And I’m not shaming butthole sex. If you love it, great.

But my message is that you don’t need to feel pressured into conforming to the expectations of gay sex fed to us through porn and popularised media.

Our world today is still very hostile towards LGBTI sex education, which is why I write and share my stories about it all the time. So why not share your side stories in the comments too.

Come banish the butthole binary with me.

Previous “I Am Sorry. We Are Sorry.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Formally Apologizes to Canada's LGBTQ Community
Next Happy World AIDS Day, Everyone!

About author

You might also like

Our Stories 70 Comments

THE MAXIAN RULE BOOK

If he says, “I can’t date or marry a guy”, remind him that he also shouldn’t be lusting after or fucking one either. Then find a suitable tall building and

Editor's Desk 19 Comments

Keith Carlos has a message for you…

… And he looks darn good passing that message across. 

Editor's Desk 0 Comments

The Minority Report on the Decision to be Out and Away From Family

In this episode of #AskTMR, the hosts of The Minority Report have a word or two to say to the brave and the wise in the community. It is good

7 Comments

  1. Gad
    December 01, 07:03 Reply

    A new form of activism?

  2. dale
    December 01, 07:41 Reply

    thank you man!,I dont like btming and I dont like topping.I can get my sexual satisfaction without getting penetrated.its just too painful.I have tried everything possible to reduce the pain and I just dont go with it.lots of idiots wont still understand that we can get satisfaction without fucking.

  3. omiete
    December 01, 14:13 Reply

    One time I tried to go anal but as uncle was about to enter the butt hole I just closed my ass and it’s not cause am scared but it’s not for me I do not get any form of pleasure am a liberated side. Also one straight guy got angry when I said I have not had sex calling me a liar cause gay guys can’t live without sex. I just had to laugh, this is Nigeria where straight people think they know everything about gay people.

  4. CHUCK
    December 02, 15:02 Reply

    This just sounds like you never learned to bottom properly. If someone asks if you are top or bottom, tell them you don’t have anal sex. It’s that simple.

    Others don’t have to censor their questions to make you feel good about yourself. If you don’t like the chat you are having block the person.

    • Gad
      December 03, 00:01 Reply

      Nna, tell them

  5. YCJ
    December 30, 23:19 Reply

    I’m a Side!!

Leave a Reply