To Bareback, Or Not To Bareback?

To Bareback, Or Not To Bareback?

We recently visited Albuquerque from our headquarters in Los Angeles and, as any good gay does, logged onto the hookup apps to see what was happening. For research, of course. We were a bit taken aback when profile after profile, message after message, all said absolutely no BB. BB, of course, meaning to bareback. In our corner of the world, barebacking has just become the norm. Is that just an LA thing? We started asking around. It seems that most of the guys on the hookup apps that were saying absolutely no barebacking were also not really using Prep or Doxy. Those two medications have become a gay men's essential for the sex world. Prep guards against HIV prevention and Doxy against STIs. We didn't even travel with any condoms, that's how used to barebacking we are. It made us rethink, to bareback, or not to bareback?

Basically put, to bareback means to have penetrative sex without a condom or barrier. It comes from the term for riding a horse without a saddle. The term, as related to sex, first popped up during the 90s at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and was attributed to those who were infected who were still engaging in unprotected sex. Now the term is used for anyone having condomless sex.

 

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When determining whether or not to bareback, you have to consider the risks involved. Abstinence is basically the only fail-safe way to avoid getting HIV or an STI. With Prep and Doxy, barebacking has become more accepted. The designation is available on all the hookup apps and there's even a website (BBRT) that caters directly to gay men wanting skin-on-skin anal sex. Even with these medications, the medical field still recommends that condoms be used to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The World Health Organization reports that 1 million STIs are contracted every hour around the globe. Yikes.

The porn world has completely changed. There was a time when bareback sex on camera was a huge no-no. That has all changed. You would be hard-pressed to find a studio or porn star that incorporates condoms into their content. There is some thrill in the fantasy of unprotected sex. Sexually, there is more sensation with skin-to-skin contact. Medically, the friction of skin contact increases the feeling and can lead to a bigger climax and has been known to improve mood, reduce stress and depression, and build a stronger immune system.  Also, even if you are having sex with a stranger, having that bareback contact can create a bond and a high level of intimacy.

 

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If you engage in bareback sex, it is highly recommended to get tested regularly and to have an open and honest conversation with the guy you are about to fuck. When were they tested? How many partners have they been with recently? That kind of thing. Being honest about your sexual health is not just a good thing to do, it is your responsibility. If you are in an open relationship, it is important to tell your significant other what you are up to, especially if you are engaging in unprotected sex. There is an incubation period for STIs, so the medical field suggests having two negative test results before engaging in bareback sex. And just to be clear, those who are diagnosed with undetectable HIV cannot transmit the virus to a sexual partner.

 

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There is no slut shaming when it comes to gay sex. If you want to bareback, go do it and enjoy it, but just know the risks involved, find out as much as you can about your and your partner's sexual health and keep an eye out for any symptoms related to an STI. With so many resources out there for gay men and sexual health, there really is no excuse for spreading diseases.

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