Circuits of power, circuits of pleasure: Sexual scripting in gay men’s bottom narratives

Abstract

This article explores the meanings 18 HIV-negative gay male participants in San Francisco attributed to their positional identity as 'bottoms'. In particular, I analyze two dominant, mutually constitutive sets of sexual scripts participants invoked in their bottom narratives: first, that bottoms are men who desire to produce pleasure for their partners; and second, that bottoms are men who desire to submit sexually to their partners. I argue that these scripted conceptions both give possibility to and constrain the ways in which participants interpret and experience their sexual practices and desires. I conclude by examining how these scripts operate as structurated social phenomena that shape the ways in which participants are able to navigate scenarios in which these scripts conflict directly with 'safer sex' scripts, potentially resulting in what I term 'pleasure/risk dilemmas'.

Barebacking and sexual position

“…He argues that because of these scripts although some bottoms are able to negotiate condom use, negotiation could be problematic if pleasing a partner were central to their own pleasure (Hoppe, 2011).…”

“…For example, Hoppe (2011) found that pleasure for bottoms is not only derived from the physical pleasure of anal sex but also from giving pleasure to their partner (relational pleasure) or submitting to their partner (relational power). He argues that because of these scripts although some bottoms are able to negotiate condom use, negotiation could be problematic if pleasing a partner were central to their own pleasure (Hoppe, 2011).…”

“…Yet such sexual scripts have the potential to position men in socio-sexual worlds that could hinder, or facilitate, their capacity to navigate and understand those sexual scenarios (Hoppe, 2011) which place them at risk of transmitting or acquiring sexual infections, including HIV.…”

“…As suggested by Dowsett et al (2008) this highlights the rendering of one group of MSM 'bottoms' as being in some way subordinate to other MSM 'tops' within the homosexual order of desire. The above excerpts show bottoms constructed as obstacles to be overcome in pursuit of pleasure, and perhaps reflect the perception by both tops and bottoms that bottoms were the 'gatekeepers' to the tops' engagement in bareback sex (Hoppe, 2011).…”

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

“…Other research shows that the use of labels of top or bottom also relate to other intricate dynamics of power and erotics and that such labels do not easily demarcate who is passive or powerless in the relationship (Hoppe 2011;Kippax and Smith 2001). Foucault's (1993) notion of the productive nature of discourse is useful to thinking about the place of power here.…”