Exploring the hanky code: A colorful piece of LGBTQ+ history
The hanky code, born in the 1970s, transformed a simple piece of fabric into a powerful communication tool for the LGBTQ+ community.
Ever noticed someone with a brightly colored bandana in their back pocket in a gay bar or at a Pride festival and wondered if it had a hidden meaning? Welcome to the world of the hanky code—a distinctive, non-verbal communication system that has played a significant role in LGBTQ+ history.
Whether you’re learning about this for the first time or recalling its past significance, let’s explore the origins, evolution, and relevance of the handkerchief code in queer culture.
The origins of the hanky code: From Gold Rush to Gay Liberation
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The hanky code, also called the handkerchief code or flagging, is a subtle signaling system in the gay community with origins that are both practical and creative. Back in the mid-19th century American West, bandanas were a common part of life for cowboys, miners, and railroad workers—they were mainly used for practical reasons.
After the California Gold Rush, a shortage of women meant men often danced together at square dances in San Francisco. To figure out who took which role, they came up with a system: the man wearing a blue bandana played the male part, while the one with a red bandana took the female part. These bandanas were usually tied around the arm, hung from a belt, or tucked into the back pocket of their jeans.
Fast forward to the early 1970s and the modern hanky code had taken shape as a way for gay men, especially in the leather and cruising scenes, to signal their sexual interests.
The exact origins are a bit hazy, but one story claims that in 1970, a Village Voice journalist jokingly suggested that men could use different colored handkerchiefs to show specific sexual role preferences. The idea took off, and before long, each color had its own meaning.
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How the hanky code works: Color meanings and positioning
The hanky code operates on a simple yet effective principle: the color of the handkerchief signifies a specific sexual interest or fetish, while its placement – left or right back pocket – indicates whether the wearer was a top/dominant or bottom/submissive, respectively.
For example, a dark blue hanky means an interest in anal sex—worn on the left, it indicates the person is the penetrating partner, and worn on the right, the receptive partner.
Here’s a handy table to help you make sense of the colorful world of the hanky code, featuring some of the most recognized colors and their meanings:
Color Meaning Left Pocket (Top/Active) Right Pocket (Bottom/Passive) Black S&M Active Passive Dark Blue Anal Sex Penetrating Partner Receptive Partner Light Blue Oral Sex Active Passive Red Fisting Active Passive Yellow Watersports (urination) Active Passive Green Hustler/Prostitution Active Passive Grey Bondage Active Passive Orange Anything Goes Active Passive Purple Piercing Active Passive Brown Scat Active Passive
It’s important to note that these meanings could vary slightly depending on the location and specific community.
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Why the hanky code still matters
The hanky code is both a piece of LGBTQ+ history and a tradition that’s still alive today. Over the years, it’s reflected the community’s journey—from secrecy and hidden meanings to open expression and visibility. While it became less common with the rise of digital communication and more public expressions of sexuality, the hanky code has made a comeback in modern queer fashion and fetish culture.
These days, it’s often viewed as a fun throwback to LGBTQ+ history, popping up at Pride events, in fashion, bars, and art. Yet, some people still use the hanky code as a playful way to signal interest in fetish scenes, keeping the tradition alive.
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