From Taboo to Tech: How Fleshjack Changed the Way Gay Men Masturbate (2025 Edition)

The Fleshjack isn’t just a male masturbator — it’s a turning point in how gay men have come to explore and enjoy their bodies, openly and without shame. Launched in 2008, it was the first sex toy made specifically for gay men, and today, it's more than just a product. It's a symbol of how much things have changed.

In the past, gay men often had to hide their sexuality and any kind of self-pleasure. Masturbation, especially for queer people, was surrounded by shame. Fast-forward to 2025, and the conversation is completely different. Now, more gay men in the UK are talking about masturbation as a form of self-care and sexual health. According to a 2024 survey by YouGov, over 67% of gay and bisexual men in the UK say they’ve used a sex toy in the past year — with Fleshjack ranking high amongst favourites.

Part of its success came from its smart use of pop culture as well as gay porn. The brand partnered with real gay porn stars like Brent Corrigan and Pierre Fitch to create Fleshjack Boys — toy sleeves moulded from their bodies. This made it feel real, personal, and exciting. It wasn't just about getting off — it was about being seen.

As sex tech evolved, so did Fleshlight toys. Today, models come with features like app control, suction control, and hands-free mounts. Take a look at Fleshlight accessories for the full range. These aren't just toys — they're part of a growing world of connected sex tech. It’s not just for gay men either. Check out our male masturbators and male vibrators for a vast range of items that everyone can enjoy.

To really understand the impact of these toys, it helps to look at where we started. Below, we’ve mapped out the key moments in the evolution of gay sex toys — from homemade hacks in the ‘90s to app-connected tech in 2025.

A Brief History of Gay Male Masturbation: From Stigma to Self-Care

The evolution of sex toys for gay men has a complex history — formed by shame, secrecy, and slow progress. In the UK, for much of the 20th century, any open talk about gay sex or self-pleasure was seen as taboo. Until 1967, homosexuality was still illegal in England and Wales. Even after the law changed, fear and stigma remained. Masturbation, especially among queer men, was something to hide. Crazy to think that this was so recent.

For a long time, gay men had to improvise. Many used household objects, pillows, or DIY setups. Porn mags were passed around in secret. Toys weren’t widely available, and there were certainly no options tailored to gay men’s bodies or needs.

Thankfully, that started to shift in the 1990s. With the rise of HIV awareness, there was a new focus on safer sex and body knowledge. Masturbation was seen as a way to stay safe and still explore desire. Some men began experimenting with early anal toys, even if they were hard to find. Now, in 2025, there’s no shortage of specialised options, from a huge range of anal sex toys to more specialised vibrators and bondage gear.

Around this time, pop culture also began to change – in a good way. Gay characters appeared more often on screen, and magazines like Attitude helped normalise sexual self-care. Gay self-pleasure became a part of wellness culture — linked to confidence, exploration, and comfort in your own skin.

According to a 2024 survey by YouGov, over 60% of gay men in the UK now own at least one sex toy. And it’s not just about fun — it’s about personal rituals. Some feel empowered by wearing bold male underwear, or exploring gender expression with cross dressing as part of their experience.

What was once a hidden act is now something openly discussed, celebrated, and understood as part of a healthy sex life.

Enter Fleshjack: The Toy That Revolutionised Gay Pleasure

Fleshjack launched in 2008 as the first sex toy made just for gay men by the makers of the world-famous Fleshlight. Until then, most toys were made for straight men. Fleshjack changed that—and helped shift how people saw gay self-pleasure.

What made it special? It wasn’t just a rebrand. It created textures that were designed for how men like to use toys. It also showed gay porn stars on the box and in ads—something other big toy brands didn’t do at the time. That honesty helped users feel more seen.

They introduced the Fleshjack Boys—real gay porn stars who let the company make toys that were moulded straight from them. It was the first time fans could literally take home a toy based on the body of their favourite adult performer. Later, they also added toys like the Fleshjack dildo, which was an even bigger game changer.

Hands-free options also became popular, like the Fleshjack Mount, which attaches to a shower wall. That let users explore without using their hands. Paired with Fleshlube and Fleshlube Fire, it became one of the most well-known gay sex toys in the world.

It didn’t just change how men masturbated—it helped remove shame. It gave gay men a toy that was made just for them, shown by people who looked like them, doing things they actually wanted. That helped build confidence and made it easier to talk about sex toys openly.

By 2015, blogs, social media, and forums were full of honest reviews, unboxings, and recommendations. Today, Fleshjack is still a top seller, and its early work made space for other brands to market directly to queer men.

Next up, we’ll look at why showing real gay porn stars—on packaging and in the product—mattered so much, and why that kind of visibility still matters in 2025.

Why Fleshjack Worked: The Power of Representation and Realism

Right or wrong, gay porn has played a part in helping queer men understand what they like. So when Fleshjack started making toys shaped like real porn stars, it felt special. These weren’t just any toys. They were made from the bodies of real men, like Brent Corrigan, Pierre Fitch and Tommy D —famous gay stars that people already knew and liked from videos.

When you bought one, it wasn’t just a toy. It was like having your favourite gay porn star right there on your shelf. The shapes were real, the textures were real—and that made the whole thing feel more personal and unique.

It also created some kind of connection. For a long time, gay sex toys weren’t talked about or seen much. But Fleshjack changed that. It said, “Your wants are valid.” For many, that meant more than just fun—it gave them supreme confidence.

The detail and care also helped people explore other toys. Some people moved on to realistic dildos, or tried out bondage hoods for the first time. Others liked using chastity cages or wearing fetish clothing. It opened up a whole world of ideas.

Even now, some people collect different models, like others collect butt plugs or Estim items. Each one is tied to a memory, a star, or a feeling.

Fleshjack made sex toys feel real, fun, and something to be proud of—never hidden. And that’s why it worked.

Sex Tech in 2025: Smart Toys, App-Controlled Play, and the Future of Fleshjack

Sex tech in 2025 is clever, connected, and nothing like it was ten years ago. Today, many toys for men use Bluetooth, work with apps, and even match movement to videos or sounds. Some toys even react in real time to AI-powered content. It’s called teledildonics, and it’s getting smarter every year.

So where does the classic Fleshjack fit into this? Well, it’s come a long way too.

Back in 2008, Fleshjack was all about feeling real. But now, smart versions are taking over. For example, if you add the Fleshlight Universal Launch, you can turn your Fleshjack into a hands-free stroker that moves on its own—like a robot doing the hard work.

The Autoblow AI Ultra is another cool example. It uses AI to copy real mouth motions. And the Kiiroo Titan even responds to touch and sound. You can sync it with certain videos or let someone else control it from anywhere in the world.

Even classic options like the Fleshjack shower mount (mentioned earlier) make things hands-free and easy to position—great for exploring safely and comfortably.

For those who want to mix things up, there are now app-paired remote control vibrators and vibrating butt plugs that you can use with a phone. Some even have live control, so a partner (or a stranger online) can take charge. It’s cheeky, fun, and pretty high-tech.

In short, the world of smart sex toys for men is exploding. And the app-controlled Fleshjack isn’t just catching up—it’s helping to lead the way.

Next, we’ll look at what UK data says about how many gay men are actually using this stuff.

UK Gay Men & Sex Tech: What the Numbers Say

UK sex toy trends in 2025 show one thing clearly: gay men are more open than ever about tech, toys, and taking control of their own fun.

According to a 2024 YouGov survey, over 60% of gay men in the UK now own at least one sex toy. That’s up from around 42% just five years ago. And it’s not just about solo play — many are exploring smart tech and couple-controlled devices too.

A recent Mintel report also showed that younger gay men (ages 18–34) are the most active buyers of app-connected toys. Popular options include prostate massagers, vibrating plugs, and stroking machines that sync with porn or partner controls.

Here’s what else the data tells us:

2025 Trends Among Gay Toy Users (UK)

• 67% of gay men say tech adds to their experience
• 1 in 3 have used a toy with a partner via app
• Top categories:
  Smart strokers like Fleshjack
  - Penis pumps
  - Willy moulding kits
  - Male sex dolls
• Biggest shift: More users say toys help with body confidence and self-care

In short, gay tech lovers in the UK aren’t shy — they’re curious, connected, and confident. Whether it’s experimenting with AI-powered toys or moulding their own willy at home, the UK market is booming with new ideas and bold products.

As we’ve seen throughout this article, from homemade toys in the '90s to the best gay sex toys in 2025, the journey of self-pleasure has come a long way. And with more tech, more openness, and more choice than ever, the future of gay sex toys looks smart, sexy, and proudly self-aware.