Certain queer individuals have raised concerns about a so-called "top shortage". This issue is reportedly one of the defining challenges of the current time. The lack of tops has been debated in queer spaces for some time.

Some people claim that there are fewer tops, while others argue that there are many tops available, but they do not fit a specific desired aesthetic. The term "top" is sometimes conflated with "masc-of-center", which is a separate issue. Further discussion and analysis of the "top shortage" can be found in the original publication, which explores the complexities of this issue in more depth.