Increasing intimacy and pleasure while reducing risk: Reasons for barebacking in a sample of Canadian and American gay and bisexual men

Abstract

Recent advancements in HIV treatment and prevention call for a re-imagination of our definition and understanding of bareback sex. The present online study used content analysis to examine 256 gay and bisexual men (GBM)’s definitions, reasons, contexts and feelings about barebacking in Canada and the US. Themes were related to defining barebacking, psychosexual benefits and narratives of risk. Findings suggest that barebacking increases relational intimacy, and that GBM use harm reduction strategies (such as seropositioning and PrEP) to reduce risk of HIV transmission. Previous literature has pathologised the act without considering how GBM who bareback may enhance pleasure and intimacy while reducing HIV risk. HIV-prevention efforts should focus on increasing access to PrEP, adherence to ARVs and efficacy of harm reduction strategies for GBM who bareback.