At Rest Stop Shop, we are believers that sexuality is personal. As the old saying goes, ‘There are many paths to the top of the mountain’. This holds true for every sexually active individual. Many believe that sex is only labeled sex if penetration of some sort is involved, be that vaginally or anally. Sex spans the full spectrum of erotic expression. Oral sex, hand jobs, nipple play, and really anything expressed in an erotic way with us or others.

In the world of gay sex there are usually three labels one can go by, top, bottom or versatile and there are associated characteristics with both. There are also expectations in the community that one really has these three options and that one must always consider anal sex as the end game for sex.

 

In this article, an interesting view of the side category is introduced when labeling sexual preferences for gay men. Dr. Kort defines ‘side’ as a gay man who is still sexually active who doesn’t enjoy anal sex due to the pain, inconvenience of preparation and cleanup, as well as a lack of interest in anal sex.

A side may be ostracized in the gay community for this. Many go straight to pathology and assume the problem needs to be fixed. A side label is something to be proud of and know that there are many who fall into this category. According to Kort, he has encountered hundreds of gay men in his tenure that are grateful they have someone who understands what they go through.

Let’s be good sexual citizens of the world and accept our side counterparts. If you believe you are a side and want to connect with a broader community, Kort, has gone as far as creating a Facebook group specifically for Side Guys. We leave you with this quote from the article: “What you’re into is what you’re into, as long as it’s consensual and explicitly agreed upon by two adults.”