"Men Talk: We are not merely objects nor dumb! Speak up about it. Lean in on love, connection, intelligence, in addition to inner and outer beauty. Mantra from a future minister in training. -A.T. "Yoda" Brooks
'I think there's an important subject here worth examining: men who resist being reduced to their sexual usefulness rather than being valued as whole human beings.
The phrase you used — being useful only as a piece of cock or ass — raises questions about sexual objectification, masculinity, dignity, consent, and the right to be valued beyond one's body.
This is particularly relevant in conversations about gay male relationships and dating, but it isn't exclusive to gay men.
There is a distinction between enjoying sex and feeling that sex is the only reason someone wants you.
What the research says
I found several academic studies that speak directly to this issue.
1. Sexual objectification and gay men
"Adonis on the Apps: Online Objectification, Self-Esteem, and Sexual Minority Men" (2019)
Researchers studied 230 sexual-minority men.
They found associations between online objectification, pressure to meet appearance standards, body dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem.
This is especially relevant because it examines how men can begin to feel that their physical appearance determines their worth.
2. Being reduced to a body
"On Grindr You're Selling Body" (2026)
A study involving 24 Australian sexual-minority men examined how dating apps encourage sexualized presentation and competition over physical appearance.
Participants described pressure to be sexually appealing and the effects on body image and well-being.
3. Men pushing back against fetishization
"Feeling Like a Fetish" (2021)
Researchers interviewed 26 men and examined hundreds of dating profiles.
The research found that men who experienced racial fetishization sometimes felt reduced to a physical characteristic or racial stereotype, making genuine relationships more difficult.
The deeper question I would investigate
I would separate this into three categories:
Sexual objectification: Men being valued primarily for their sexual body parts.
Resistance and boundaries: Men who refuse to participate in relationships where their only perceived value is sexual.
Emotional dignity: Men who want companionship, intellectual connection, affection, respect, and intimacy beyond sex.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying sexual relationships. The problem arises when someone else's expectations erase your individuality.
One question to narrow the research
When you say men who push back, are you interested primarily in:
Men who refuse to be sexually objectified by other men?
Gay men who want romantic relationships rather than hookups?
Men who challenge the expectation that masculinity or sexual performance determines their worth?
I think this could become a worthwhile study of male dignity, sexual objectification, and the right to be valued as a whole person.'
ChatGpt
Image: Jose James


