Str8Curious: What Do Gay Guys Think About Pubic Hair?

Str8Curious is a monthly AskMen column where out and proud lifestyle expert Joey Skladany answers burning questions from heterosexual men about sex, dating, and the LGBTQ+ community. No topic is off limits as he candidly lends advice, debunks stereotypes, and gives it to you straight — err — gay. Should you be interested in submitting a question for editorial consideration (and we will respect anonymity), feel free to ping Joey directly on Instagram or email him at joeyskladanywrites@gmail.com). The Question “I’m a pretty hairy guy and I have a particularly hairy pubic area. When I was dating women, they didn’t seem to mind, but it seems like most guys on gay sex apps keep their groins trimmed and tidy...and prefer the same. Is this a common preference among gay men or am I looking for fun in all the wrong places?” - Nelson, Tulsa, OK The Answer Admittedly, I’m not particularly fond of nosediving into a rat’s nest when going down on a dude. Unkempt pubes often harbor foul-smelling bacteria and the hairs can literally tickle the nose like a wad of bristly feathers. RELATED: The Giant AskMen Guide to Manscaping It’s not a dealbreaker or a complete boner killer, but I much prefer easy access to a penis instead of partaking in a Where’s Waldo of the groin area while trying to find it. That said, I often feel like *I* may be in the minority when it comes to grooming preferences. Sure, there are many gays who love to keep things neat and tidy, especially if it’s an extension of bodies that are clean-shaven (often to showcase the shadows of muscles), but I’d argue that there are a lot of gay men who love an au naturel bush, including the “manly,” often sweaty scents that come with it. The problem is that an app like Grindr may not be the right fit for you, or at least with your current settings. Try searching for tags like “bear” or “hairy” or even “furry” (though that may yield an entirely different result than anticipated, as explained here). There are also Tribe filters that include Bear, Otter, and Rugged that should present hairier dudes. If that fails, experiment with other apps like Scruff that tend to attract guys who not only don’t care about trimming (it’s in app’s name!), but embrace those who come with a bit of extra fuzz. And if you’re *really* self-conscious, then I say start with a happy medium. Don’t go completely bare, but do go through with an electric body trimmer and keep at least half an inch of hair in tact. This will shave away the unruly hairs that may be aesthetically displeasing for guys like me. Not sure where to start? Every year, AskMen releases a comprehensive list of Grooming Awards with a dedicated Shave category. This houses the best of the best when it comes to creams, devices, and aftercare so that your junk looks more like a piece of art instead of a war zone riddled with nicks, redness, and ingrown hairs. At the end of the day, you should only do what makes you comfortable. Rock out with your pubic hair out and the right man will certainly come along to appreciate it. Guaranteed. You Might Also Dig: What Women Really Think of Guys' PubesHow to Trim Your Pubic Hair, ExplainedI Got a Brazilian Wax for Men and This Is What I Learned