Sexual practices between men

Sexual activities involving men who have sex with men (MSM),
regardless of their sexual orientation or sexual identity,[1] can
include anal sex, non-penetrative sex, and oral sex. Evidence
shows that sex between men is significantly underreported in
surveys.[2][3]

Behaviors
Various sex positions may be performed during sexual activity
19th-century erotic interpretation of
between men. Evidence shows that sex between men is Hadrian and Antinous, by Paul Avril.
significantly underreported in surveys due to social desirability
bias.[2][3]

Anal sex
Historically, anal sex has been popularly associated with male
homosexuality. Many MSM, however, do not engage in anal
sex, and may engage in oral sex, frottage or frot, and/or
mutual masturbation instead.[4][5][6]

Among men who have anal sex with other men, the partner
who inserts his penis may be referred to as the top, the one
being penetrated may be referred to as the bottom, and those
who enjoy either role may be referred to as versatile.[7] When
MSM engage in anal sex without using a condom, this is
referred to as bareback sex. Pleasure, pain, or both may
accompany anal sex. While the nerve endings in the anus can
provide pleasurable feelings, an orgasm may be achieved
through receptive anal penetration by indirect stimulation of
The penetrating man lying on his back is
the prostate.[8][9] A study by the National Survey of Sexual
the "top" and the receiving man is the
Health and Behavior (NSSHB) indicated that men who self-
"bottom" in the cowboy position.
report taking a receptive position during anal sex in their last
encounter were at least as likely to have reached orgasm as
men who adopted an insertive role.[10] A study sampling single people in the U.S. indicated that orgasm
rates are similar among men across sexual orientations.[11] With regard to pain or being uncomfortable
during anal sex,[12] some research indicates that, for 24% to 61% of gay or bisexual men, painful
receptive anal sex (known as anodyspareunia) is a frequent lifetime sexual difficulty.[12]
Reports pertaining to the prevalence of anal sex among MSM have
varied over time, with some percentages higher than
others.[7][13][14][15] A large percentage of gay and bisexual men
self-report lifetime participation in anal sex.[7] Studies among gay
men have indicated that percentages are similar when comparing
men who prefer to penetrate their partners to those who prefer to
be the receptive partner.[7][16] Some men who have sex with men,
however, believe that being a receptive partner during anal sex
questions their masculinity.[17][18] Anal sex between two men in the
missionary position

Non-penetrative sex and masturbation

There are a variety of non-penetrative sex practices. Frot is a sexual
activity between men that usually involves penis-to-penis contact.[19]
It is a form of frottage. Frot can be enjoyable because it mutually and
simultaneously stimulates the genitals of both partners as it tends to
produce pleasurable friction against the frenulum nerve bundle on the
underside of each man's penile shaft, just below the urinary opening
(meatus) of the penis head (glans penis). Intercrural sex is another
form of non-penetrative sex that can be practiced between MSM.
Docking (the insertion of one man's penis into another man's
foreskin) is also practiced.

Manual sex is another non-penetrative sex act that can occur between
men. This includes handjobs, which is the use of one's hands to
stimulate someone else's penis or scrotum, and anal fingering, which Two men engaged in frot by
is the use of one's fingers to stimulate someone's anus. rubbing their penises together

MSM may use sex toys. According to an online survey of 25,294 men
who self-reported a homosexual or bisexual orientation, 49.8% have used vibrators. Most men who had
used a vibrator in the past reported use during masturbation (86.2%). When used during partnered
interactions, vibrators were incorporated into foreplay (65.9%) and intercourse (59.4%).[20]

Oral sex
MSM may engage in oral sex, including fellatio, which is using the
mouth to stimulate another person's penis or scrotum, and anilingus,
which is stimulating someone else's anus using the tongue and lips.
Wellings et al. reported that "the equation of 'homosexual' with 'anal'
sex among men is common among lay and health professionals
alike," whereas an online survey of 18,000 MSM in Europe "showed
that oral sex was most commonly practised, followed by mutual
masturbation, with anal intercourse in third place."[4] A 2011 survey Two men engaging in mutual
by The Journal of Sexual Medicine found similar results for U.S. gay fellatio in the 69 position
and bisexual men. Kissing a partner on the mouth (74.5%), oral sex (72.7%), and partnered masturbation
(68.4%) were the three most common behaviors, with 63.2% of the sample self-reporting five to nine
different sexual behaviors during their last encounter.[21]

Health risks
A variety of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can result from sexual activity.[22] A 2007 study
reported that two large population surveys found "the majority of gay men had similar numbers of
unprotected sexual partners annually as straight men and women."[23][24]

Legality
Some or all sexual acts between men are currently or were formerly classified as crimes in jurisdictions
of some countries. In its December 2020 report, International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex
Association (ILGA) found that certain sexual acts between men are criminalized in 67 of 193 UN
member states and one non-independent jurisdiction, the Cook Islands, while two UN member states, Iraq
and Egypt, criminalize it de facto but not in legislation.[25][26][27] In Egypt, there is no law against
homosexuality but gay and bisexual men are prosecuted under other laws, most famously the Cairo
52.[28][29][30] In at least six UN member states—Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (only northern
Nigeria), Saudi Arabia and Yemen—it is punishable by death.[25][31] In 2007, five countries executed
someone as a penalty for homosexual acts.[28] In 2020, ILGA named Iran and Saudi Arabia as the only
countries in which executions for same-sex activity have reportedly taken place.[25][32][33] In other
countries, such as Yemen and Iraq, extrajudicial executions are carried out by militias such as Islamic
State or Al-Qaeda.[25] Many other countries had such laws in the past, but they were repealed, especially
since 1945.[34][35] Such laws are inherently difficult to enforce;[36] more often than not, they are not
commonly enforced.[35]
 Criminalized
Decriminalized 1791–1850
Decriminalized 1850–1945
Decriminalized 1946–1989
Decriminalized 1990–present
Unknown date of legalization
Always legal

See also
Human sexuality
portal
LGBTQ portal

Gay pornography
Homosexuality
LGBTQ sex education
Outline of LGBTQ topics
Same-sex relationship
Sexual practices between women
Terminology of homosexuality

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Bibliography
Steven Gregory Underwood(2003): Gay Men and Anal Eroticism Tops, Bottoms, and
Versatiles. Harrington Park Press. 978-1-56023-375-6
Ahmady, Kameel Et al 2020: Forbidden Tale (A comprehensive study on lesbian, gay,
bisexuals (LGB) in Iran). AP Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany.

External links
Media related to Gay sex at Wikimedia Commons
Quotations related to Gay sexual practices at Wikiquote

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