what are the "top" and "bottom" sterotypes?

This top and bottom **** comes from heteronormativity; the idea that gayness should be as close to straightness as possible so it can be considered "normal". And the kicker is that the idea of a "normal" straight relationship is already f*cked up, because it's just traditional sexist values (aka gender roles).

In other words, expecting every gay couple to be butch/femme, twink/bear, top/bottom, etc. is a silly way to try and make someone the "man" and someone the "girl", even though that's not how gay relationships work. And in truth, most hetero relationships aren't strictly macho man and girly girl, either. So it's a flawed way to generalize people.

We need to throw away the idea of the Opposite Dynamic altogether imo and let individuals be individuals.

Obviously some people fall into certain stereotypes, but most people exist on a spectrum of masculinity and femininity, overtness and subtlety, and passiveness and agressiveness within a relationship.

To answer your question, though: Tops are usually thought of as the more masculine partners, and bottoms are more often thought of the feminine ones.

"Top" and "bottom" refer to sexual position preferences; a gay (or bi) guy is either top, bottom, or versatile by choice.

The classic stereotypes are tops=masculine, muscular men and bottoms=effeminate ones. These stereotypes don't always translate into reality, especially if you visit Fort Lauderdale or west Hollywood. Those places are full of bottoms who are extremely masculine, even butch. I'm a masculine top in a smaller city who is attracted to other masculine men, and I haven't had trouble finding them. Also, while not quite as common, there exist effeminate tops as well

Lots of people are simply jackasses and like to judge others- so they have no right to decide - you are a bottom or you must be the top.

nothing makes someone a top or a bottom unless that persons says they are. its a common but false stereotype that all feminine guys are bottoms. and saying that all masculine men are tops is also false. next time someone says that tell them to shut the **** up

Same as in hetrosexual relationships, I'd imagine. But my second ex-wife used to say her favorite side of the bed was on top.