Side

Side describes a gay or bisexual man who enjoys sex but does not take part in anal penetration, as either the insertive top or the receptive bottom. Sides tend to prefer other forms of intimacy such as oral sex, mutual masturbation, kissing, and frottage. The term was coined in 2013 by sex therapist Dr. Joe Kort, who wrote about it in a Huffington Post piece and identifies as a side himself. It gained wider recognition in 2022 when Grindr added "side" alongside top, bottom, and versatile in its position options. The word gives visibility to men who often felt they had no language for their preferences, and it affirms that gay sex is not defined by anal intercourse.