Bareback

Backdoor delivery?

We all love a good ride. But some of us prefer to mount that magnificent horse without a saddle. In other words, go Bareback. Gay Bareback sex refers to taking a backdoor delivery without a condom. Perceptions of Bareback sex have a long and complex history in the gay community. And have changed over time alongside developments in the treatment of HIV.

Speak about riding Bareback to some straights and they may have no idea what you’re talking about. Why? Because the term is almost exclusively used by gay men. It first appeared sometime in the 1980s in the gay press. With the advent of AIDS, the term Bareback grew in use. And this coincided with an increased emphasis on ideas of ‘safer’ sex to fight the epidemic. Condom use was central here. In the '80s and '90s, guys who practised Bareback were often demonised. They were accused of being reckless and irresponsible. But as effective treatments for HIV arrived, attitudes to Bareback shifted. More on this below.

Bareback sex has always been a thing. Indeed, straight people do it all the time. How else can one get pregnant? And here we have one of life’s many great injustices. When straight people have Bareback sex it’s seen as natural. But when gay guys do it they’re shamed. Before AIDS, Gay Bareback sex was the norm. And gay men into Bareback or ‘raw’ sex still speak about the condom as a ‘barrier’. Covering your chopper in Latex doesn’t offer the same physical sensations as going Bareback. Nothing beats ‘skin on skin’, they say. Moreover, many see it as a psychological barrier. Putting on a condom can be a passion killer. And this is tied up with ideas of intimacy. Of feeling closer to your lover. Additionally, for others, Bareback is a transgressive act. A way of rebelling against what society tells us to do.

Times have changed. Mercifully. But stigma around Gay Bareback remains. Sadly. And stigma largely comes from ignorance. There are risks involved in all types of sex. But the risks of Gay Bareback are not the same now as they were decades ago. Why? Because antiretroviral drugs have transformed the treatment of HIV. So much so that it’s a manageable condition. And you can have a long and healthy life. And achieve an undetectable viral load. PrEP has been a game-changer. And if you want to go Bareback it’s often a great option. However, some risks remain with Bareback. And condomless sex won’t protect you from other STIs. This is why regular testing is important. Bursting for a bareback ride? Explore the superb stable of ever-ready stallions that’s Gays.com.