Hinging prevalently on homophobia and ill-informed sexual beliefs. This experimentation and push towards active sex advocacy is what Hodgson attributes to the fact that ‘a lot of sex toys are pitched at gay men’ making them a strong aspect of the adult consumer market to this very day.ĭespite the amazing impact that gay men have had on the history of male sex toys, there are sadly still some stigmas attached to this contribution. Speaking on the topic Nichi Hodgson, Ooh by Je Joue brand ambassador, notes that when it came to gay men ‘There was a stigma around their sexuality, so they had to fight for sexual liberation and were able to experiment’. In a time period that still marginalized and vilified homosexuality, to be able to actively carve out space for one’s sexuality, to the point where it shapes an entire industry is a momentous achievement and one that the industry acknowledges and is still defined by today. Because of this, the impact of the gay community on the way that male sex toys are designed and marketed is undeniable and most certainly a positive thing. This active interest in sex toys shown by gay men undoubtedly helped shape and support the male sex toy market. Bringing about ‘growing markets for sexual products such as sex toys’.
Where an emphasis on sexual liberation meant that ‘consumerism flourished for gay men’.
Lee Badgett tracks this back to the late 1960’s & 70’s. Facilitated by the diverse ways in which gay men define and engage in sexual intercourse. While heterosexual men have conventionally been rather shy in regards to sex toys, homosexual men have been active consumers for many years. After all, this emancipation coincides with the rise of male sex toys.
In fact, it could even be suggested that the impact of gay men on the male sex toy market has helped make it more open and accepting for all consumers. However, when it comes to the wonderful world of sex toys homosexual communities and especially gay men have paved the way for quite some time.