The Case of “Riding Bareback”

Barebacking, the deliberate practice of unprotected anal intercourse, is a new reality for many gay men. How does bareback sex create, maintain, and challenge personal and collective gay identities? Drawing from the works of Foucault, Weeks, Epstein, and popular gay literature, this essay explores these intersections and conflicts. Specifically, we examine the nature of identity and the conflicts and divisions in gay communities, analyze the barebacking phenomenon and its interconnection with the paradoxes of identity, and conclude by discussing the implications for HIV/AIDS education, suggestions for future research, and ways of engaging in community dialogue.