In the summer of 2016, we interviewed 31 men who have sex with men (MSM) about their sexual lives. We learned there may be 7 ‘geosexual archetypes’ that make up the architecture of their sexual networks. These archetypes are preliminary sketches – feel free to let us know what you think. As our project continues, we intend to further develop and better understand these archetypes in ways that are sex-positive, empowering, and reflective of the rich diversity of MSM living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Hosters – Are a centralizing force. Prefer not to travel very far for sex, find most of your partners online, and have their partners come to them.
House-callers – Are a dispersing force. They either can’t or don’t want to host sex at their place but want to keep things intimate and private so they’re willing to travel to their partner’s place for sex, even if they have to travel a little further than their local neighbourhood.
Rovers – Are local boys and their sexual universe is within about 5km of their homebase. They prefer to meet their partners in person and prefer to have sex in a public place away from their home and their partner’s.
Privates – Are a highly localizing force and very private, keeping sex local (on average less than 1km), except on rare occasion when they may travel to the suburbs. They are willing to meet their partners in a variety of ways; however, they want to have sex in private à your place or theirs.
Travellers – Often bridge people and places. Geography does not limit them – they will travel for sex, locally and out of town. They prefer to find their partners online and have sex away from home, at a partner’s house, the park, the club, anywhere really, as long as it’s not their place.
Sirens – Are an exceedingly rare type. They prefer not to travel to someone else’s home for sex but they gladly have their partners come to them, or connect at the bathhouse, the club or the gym.
Geoflexibles – Are a free spirit with a lot of love to share (or sex at least). They find partners both online and in person and they’ll have sex in a variety of environments – their place, their partner’s place, the park, the club, the airport…They often bridge people and places.
