Tops, bottoms and versatiles

Moskowitz, David; Rieger, Gerulf; Roloff, Michael E.

doi:10.1080/14681990802027259

Cited by 88 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…As Carrier (1977) defines it, "sex-role" refers to the sexual performance of gay men, regarding whether they are the inserting partner during anal intercourse, or the receiving partner in anal intercourse; additionally, "sex-role identity" is the term "top" or "bottom" being used to distinguish gay men who prefer a certain sex-role from gay men who prefer the opposite sex-role. These identities correlate strongly with consequent sexual behavior; tops prefer to be inserters, bottoms prefer to be inserted, and versatiles prefer to engage in both behaviors (Moskowitz, Rieger, & Roloff, 2008). Carrier (1977) argued that sex-role preference was an important aspect to consider when studying the behavior of gay men.…”

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confidence: 99%

Smashing back Doors in: Negative Attitudes toward Bottoms within the Gay Community

Brooks

Reysen

Shaw³

2017

WJSSR

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In the current study, we examined the relationship between hegemonic masculinity and negative attitudes toward effeminacy with prejudice toward sex-role identities in the gay community. Participants recruited from LGBTQA+ student groups from across the United States, completed measures related to their adherence toward hegemonic masculinity, attitudes toward effeminacy, and opinions about bottoms (men who prefer to be penetrated during anal intercourse). The results showed, first, established evidence that a prejudice toward bottoms does exist. Second, anti-effeminacy attitudes,hostile and benevolent sexism, and male toughness norms predicted prejudice toward bottoms. Taken together, the results illuminate both the importance of sex-role identities within the gay community, and marginalization within the community directed toward men who identify as bottoms.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Smashing back Doors in: Negative Attitudes toward Bottoms within the Gay Community

Brooks

Reysen

Shaw³

2017

WJSSR

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“…Interestingly, men's SPI as a top or bottom appears to be relatively predictive of their sexual behaviour (Hart et al, 2003), and, unlike the relationship between SOI and sexual behaviour, this relationship seems uncontested by these men, though not all MSM have an SPI (Moskowitz, Rieger, & Roloff, 2008;Wegesin & MeyerBahlburg, 2000), and some are versatile (Reisen et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Straight white American college students’ attitudes toward a self-identified straight, not gay or gay man who has sex with men: incongruent sexual orientation identity diminishes perceived psychological health

Mitchell

Stroupe

2016

Psychology & Sexuality

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Print) 1941-9902 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rpse20Straight white American college students' attitudes toward a self-identified straight, not gay or gay man who has sex with men: incongruent sexual orientation identity diminishes perceived psychological health Straight white American college students' attitudes toward a self-identified straight, not gay or gay man who has sex with men: incongruent sexual orientation identity diminishes perceived psychological health This study examines how participants view men who have sex with men (MSM) based on their sexual orientation identity (SOI) and sexual position identity (SPI). White heterosexual male (n = 93) and female (n = 210) American college students read one of six scenarios about an ordinary man named John who has sex with men. In the scenarios, John's SOI and SPI were manipulated, in that he considers himself gay, straight or not gay, and thinks of himself as either a top or a bottom. Participants rated their attitudes towards John's psychology, social character, HIV vulnerability and status as gay. Men were less interested in being friends with John and found him less interesting than women did, and agreed more that, if they were John, they would think of themselves as gay. Participants agreed for all SOIs that, if they were John, they would think of themselves as gay, though they agreed more strongly when John's SOI was gay than otherwise. Compared to their ratings for gay John, participants rated straight and not gay John as more conflicted about his sexuality, in need of counselling, irresponsible and unpredictable. John's SPI had almost no influence on any attitudes towards John. Findings suggest that, if MSM identify themselves as straight or not gay, people not only think that they are gay, but also experience them as more psychologically unhealthy than if they identify themselves as gay. These attitudes suggest that, because people commonly use SOIs to make predictions about sexual orientation, incongruence between a man's SOIs and his sexual orientation implicates psychological difficulties.

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“…Indeed, some researchers have argued for the fluidity of gay men's sexual preferences, preferring not to use binary labels in thinking about gay sexuality (Johns et al 2012) and have also used the label of being 'versatile' to discuss the fluidity of sexual positions during sex (Moskowitz, Rieger and Roloff 2008).…”

Section: Top/bottom Constructs Amongst Gay Men: Implications For Sexumentioning

confidence: 99%

Top or Bottom? Varsity youth talk about gay sexuality in a Stepping Stones Workshop: Implications for sexual health

Kiguwa

Nduna²

2017

SAJHE

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This article discusses the constructs of sexuality amongst a group of LGBTI university students during a Stepping Stones workshop aimed at exploring their engagement with sexual and reproductive health rights issues as it affects them. These constructs include notions of binary identities of being gay, such as being a 'top' versus being a 'bottom', that are then applied to sexual practices and behaviour that have serious implications for sexual health and bodily integrity. We discuss the intersections of gender identity, sexuality, sexual health and sexual rights, arguing that such constructs are not only limiting in their demarcations of sexual boundaries in relationships and for intimacy but also that attempts to engage sexual health promotion must take into account the intersecting identities of gender and sexuality that are tied to sexual behaviour.

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Tops, bottoms and versatiles

Cited by 88 publications

References 18 publications

Smashing back Doors in: Negative Attitudes toward Bottoms within the Gay Community

Smashing back Doors in: Negative Attitudes toward Bottoms within the Gay Community

Straight white American college students’ attitudes toward a self-identified straight, not gay or gay man who has sex with men: incongruent sexual orientation identity diminishes perceived psychological health

Top or Bottom? Varsity youth talk about gay sexuality in a Stepping Stones Workshop: Implications for sexual health

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