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QCicons: Whatever Happened to the Hanky Code?

QC icons examines gay historical and cultural symbols in modern context. To commemorate Pride this summer, we’ll be examining colorful symbols, such as the Hanky Code.

Unless you’re older or into the leather scene, you might think nothing of the stud with a red handkerchief in his back right pocket– actually, the guy’s looking to get fist-fucked. The red hankie indicates the act — dark blue would mean he’s looking for sex; light blue, oral sex; grey, bondage and so on. The right pocket indicates submission, the left, dominance.

The “hanky code” (or “flagging”) appeared during the ’60’s and ’70’s as a way to covertly advertise sexual interest. During the closeted ’50’s, gay men expressed interest by standing certain ways next to each other, positioning their belt buckles, and exchanging knowing glances. But to a large degree, gay sex still occurred secretly in public spaces called “tea rooms” like truck stops, park toilets, and back rooms.

By clearing communicating who wanted what, the hanky code sought to dispell some of the uncertainty, danger, and stigma surrounding gay sex. It caught on especially in the 60’s leather scene– a more tribal, ritualistic, and outwardly sexual fringe of the homosexual mainstream– where the hanky code persists to this day.

The hanky code got brief notice due to Time Magazine coverage and marketers who created meanings for every bandana color (dark pink for tit torture, leopard print for tattoo lovers, for example). However, today’s relaxed social attitudes, the internet, and outwardly sexual fashions have somewhat supplanted the need for encoded homosexuality.

These days, there are dozens of ways for us to quickly express and satisfy our gay desire– but perhaps that’s not entirely a good thing. The hankies indicated the existence of a flourishing gay sub/counter-culture outside the reach of mainstream commercialism and political interests. Some think that the more homosexuality enters the mainstream, the more it becomes a homogenized disposable commodity, exclusive of racial and sexual non-conformity and unable to create autonomous modes of self-expression.

What are your thoughts?

If you have an idea for QC icons, please tell us.
Thanks to Aaron’s Gay Info and Scrum Cap for graphic and historical assistance.