Have a Foot Fetish?

By Jay Stewart

Attraction to certain scents, including feet, can be part of what’s known as a fetish or kink—in this case, a foot fetish, which is one of the most common. There are a few reasons why you might be specifically drawn to the smell of gay feet:

1. Association with desire and identity: As a gay man, your attraction is naturally tied to other men. Smell can be a powerful part of attraction—it’s linked to memory, emotion, and arousal. The scent of another gay man, especially in a context that feels intimate or masculine, might intensify that arousal.
2. Masculinity and pheromones: Feet—especially unwashed or sweaty—carry strong pheromones, and some people are particularly sensitive to these. If you’re attracted to masculinity or “rawness,” the scent might trigger excitement or comfort.
3. Power dynamics or submission: For some, the smell of feet symbolizes dominance, submission, or intimacy. Enjoying the smell can relate to a deeper emotional or psychological response beyond just the physical.
4. Personal experiences or associations: Maybe a past experience (sexual or emotional) associated that scent with comfort, excitement, or connection. These early impressions can deeply influence preferences later in life.

Ultimately, it’s a part of your sexual or romantic blueprint—and as long as it’s safe, consensual, and doesn’t cause distress, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From a psychological perspective, your attraction to the smell of gay men’s feet can be understood through a few key concepts in human sexuality and emotional development:

1. Classical Conditioning

This comes from behavioral psychology. If you had early sexual or emotional experiences where feet (or the smell of them) were present—especially involving gay men—your brain might have formed a lasting association between that sensory cue (the smell) and arousal or emotional connection. Even one meaningful or intense experience can “imprint” that association.

2. Erotic Imprinting

Related to conditioning, this idea suggests that certain early life experiences—especially during puberty or moments of vulnerability—can “lock in” specific attractions. For example, if your first crush or sexual fantasy involved a guy whose feet you saw or smelled, that detail could become eroticized and stick with you over time.

3. Olfactory Memory & Emotion

Smell is directly connected to the brain’s limbic system, which handles emotion and memory. That’s why scents can trigger powerful, visceral responses. If you feel aroused, comforted, or emotionally connected when smelling another man—especially someone you’re attracted to—it may be partly because your brain links that scent to intimacy, trust, or desire.

4. Masculinity, Identity, and Power

Feet—especially unwashed—are often seen as raw, unfiltered expressions of masculinity. As a gay man, your attraction to gay feet might not just be about the physical scent, but what it represents: masculinity, authenticity, vulnerability, or even dominance. That psychological symbolism can be very erotic.

5. Desire for Connection

In some cases, specific fetishes develop as ways of coping with emotional needs—like intimacy, closeness, or validation. If you feel more emotionally connected to other gay men through this specific act (smelling their feet), it might be your mind’s way of reinforcing that connection in a way that feels deeply personal and real.

Nothing about this is abnormal or unhealthy on its own. Sexual expression is incredibly diverse, and what’s meaningful or arousing to one person may not be to another. What matters is how it fits into your overall well-being and relationships.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If your attraction to the smell of gay feet is creating internal conflict, here are a few common psychological reasons why that might be happening—and how you can start to work through them:

1. Shame or Societal Stigma

You might have internalized messages that tell you certain desires are “weird,” “dirty,” or “wrong.” These messages often come from culture, religion, or even within parts of the LGBTQ+ community that still struggle with sex-positivity. That inner voice of judgment can make you feel like something is “off” about your preferences—even if they’re completely harmless.

What helps: Gently challenging those beliefs. Ask yourself:

“Is this something I truly believe is wrong, or something I was taught to feel ashamed of?”
Talking with sex-positive therapists or communities that normalize kink and fetish can be incredibly healing.

2. Fear of Rejection or Non-Acceptance

You may worry that others—friends, partners, or potential lovers—will judge you or be turned off if they know about this interest. That can make you feel like you need to hide it, which creates anxiety and emotional distance in relationships.

What helps: Gradual, safe self-expression. Sharing parts of your desires with trusted, nonjudgmental partners can lead to deep intimacy rather than rejection. You might be surprised how many people are open-minded when you’re honest and respectful.

3. Conflict Between Desire and Identity

Sometimes we feel tension when a part of our sexuality seems to clash with how we see ourselves. For example, if you see yourself as emotionally connected, romantic, or “serious” about love, you might worry a foot fetish feels “frivolous” or “animalistic” in contrast.

What helps: Integrating those parts of yourself. You can be a romantic, emotionally deep gay man and find raw, primal things like scent or feet erotic. In fact, many people find that their desires become more fulfilling when they stop trying to split them into “acceptable” vs. “unacceptable” parts.

4. Past Trauma or Repression

In some cases, internal conflict around fetish or kink may stem from past sexual shame, trauma, or strict upbringing. You might not be consciously aware of it, but your body and mind could be carrying unresolved tension around sexual expression.

What helps: Working with a kink-aware or LGBTQ+-affirming therapist can be powerful. They can help you untangle where your discomfort is coming from and build a more peaceful relationship with your desires.

Here are some affirmations and journal prompts designed to help you explore your attraction without shame, build self-acceptance, and understand your desires more deeply.

🧠 Affirmations (Say daily or write in a notebook)

You don’t have to believe them right away—just speak them kindly, even if they feel awkward at first.

1. “My desires are valid, even if others don’t understand them.”
2. “There is nothing wrong with what turns me on.”
3. “I am allowed to enjoy my sexuality in ways that feel right for me.”
4. “My attraction is part of my truth, not a flaw.”
5. “I can be emotionally deep and still embrace my kinks.”
6. “Desire doesn’t define my worth—it expresses my humanity.”
7. “I release shame that was never mine to carry.”

✍️ Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection

Use these as gentle guides—no need to overthink. Just write freely.

1. When did I first realize I was attracted to the scent of other men’s feet? What was happening around that time?
2. How do I feel in my body when I imagine this scenario? Safe? Excited? Guilty? Why?
3. What messages did I learn growing up about sex, desire, or “acceptable” attraction? How are those messages influencing me now?
4. If I imagined telling someone I trust about this interest—and they responded with love—what would that feel like?
5. What does this attraction give me emotionally? (Connection, vulnerability, arousal, comfort?)
6. Is there a part of me that wants to protect myself by hiding this? What is it afraid of?
7. What would full acceptance of this part of me look like? How would it change how I relate to myself or others?

Final Thought

Your attraction isn’t something to be “fixed” or hidden. It’s part of your emotional and erotic language. The goal isn’t to change who you are—it’s to feel safe, whole, and proud of it.