Dismantling Those Myths About Gay Sex
I find it weird that straight people cannot get their minds out of our asses. They’re obsessed with how we have sex, what happens before and after. It’s even weirder when they’re homophobic. Like you hate it, so why are you always thinking about it?
I met this lady a few weeks ago, claiming to be an LGBT ally and all, and we were having fun until she honestly asked me, “I heard that lots of gay people that have had anal sex eventually end up wearing diapers and even come down with anal cancer. If they know the end from the beginning, why do they still engage in anal sex? Aren’t there other ways of showing they love each other?”
In one sentence, she brought together two of the most commonly used myths about gay people, that they use diapers and that they come down with anal cancer.
So, I decided to set her straight. Let’s begin.
Gay Men And Diapers
I swear, this rumor is so pervasive that I definitely believed it growing up. I think many other gay men did too. The myth states that when gay men have too much sex, the sphincters become too loose and they become incontinent and can’t keep shit in, literally, hence the diapers. Well, it’s been years and I’m yet to find a single incontinent gay person. Seriously, gay men, how many of your friends use diapers? None? You know why? It doesn’t work like that. Anal sex is not about loosening the sphincter permanently. It’s about voluntarily relaxing it temporarily. You learn over time how best to relax the sphincter so that there are no tears to it.
Now, occasionally, tears may occur to the sphincter, most commonly to the external anal sphincter. These tears are usually small, incredibly painful and cause great difficulty or pain when taking a shit or having anal sex. This is an ANAL FISSURE. Here, the person can get constipated because of how long it takes him to summon the courage to take that painful shit. Notice however that they do not become incontinent. They become the very opposite.
In cases of significant tears or other factors, it can actually cause incontinence, but the rate is miniscule, about a 6.3% increased risk compared to men who do not have anal sex.
Compare this to the myths that make it seem like diapers are top of a gay man’s starter pack list.
Gay Men And Anal Cancer
This one upsets me because it’s used like such a curse. “I hope you die of anal cancer” and other threats get thrown about on the daily, and like most other things, it’s much ado about nothing. How morally bankrupt do you have to be to wish another human being cancer.
Anal cancer can be caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, the same virus that causes cervical and vulvar cancer in women that have had sex (or been exposed in some other form) and some types of Nasopharyngeal (throat) cancer in men and women that perform oral sex. Exposure to the virus is all that is needed to create the likelihood that a person can get certain forms of the cancer. Condoms reduce the area of exposure of the HPV virus but not completely, as it can still be passed through whatever genital or pubic areas that are not covered by the condom.
So, people who have anal sex aren’t special. They just have anal exposure while others have other exposure. Even then, their risk of getting anal cancer is substantially low unless the person is co-infected with HIV. And then, only with the reduced immunity that comes if the HIV is poorly managed does the risk of anal cancer significantly increase.
The United States estimated the risk at 131 men per 100,000. That’s 1.3 men for every 1000. Note also that the rate according to this study is 46 men per 100, 000 for men who have HIV but have never had sex with other men. So, it’s more linked to HIV infection and the reduced immunity it brings.
Yet, the myth has spread quickly as though it’s this thing that all gay men eventually get.
Regardless of your views on homosexuality and anal sex, it remains important not to let myths guide your prejudices.
Written by Vhagar
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9 Comments
Iliana
January 13, 08:39Really educative piece.
Dimkpa
January 13, 12:13Just to add to this enlightening article. Just like women are being vaccinated against HPV to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, there are trials to vaccinate gay men as well to reduce the risk of anal cancer or warts. The vaccines are available in Nigeria, but are not free. One of them is called Gardasil, Google can help if you want to know more. It may be worthwhile getting vaccinated if possible. It is all about safety.
Oludayo
January 13, 12:21Cool Dimkpa. Do you have any idea of the price range?
Olubakin
January 13, 17:20And where can we get it?
Francis
January 13, 19:44Yes oh. Price and sellers/clinics if possible. Thanks
Dimkpa
January 14, 11:59I found this link http://www.nimedhealth.com.ng/gardasil-in-nigeria18-facts-about-the-hpv-vaccine-in-nigeria/?fdx_switcher=true
Francis
January 14, 13:12Thanks man but na blank page I dey see
Vhagar
January 17, 09:30Dimkpa, Gardasil and some other vaccines that protect against HPV are available. But it should be made very clear that they are much more effective if taken before contact.
For women,they should be taken before vaginal contact with the virus for best effect i.e as a virgin. The same would usually go for men. It should be taken before anopenetrative sex introduces the virus.
After introduction, the vaccine can only do moderate damage control.
quinn
January 15, 09:502018 is still going good. Keep ’em coming!