Gay hand signs

Different colors represent a wide range of sexual interests, from vanilla practices to more specialized kinks.

Oliver Stabbe

This sign utilizes fingerspelling to represent the concept. "If she's wearing flannel", you might answer, "or if she has an undercut", although that might not cut it anymore.

Many LGBT+ people throughout history would come up with covert ways to signal to each other that they were part of the same community.

An example of an English minimal pair is “cat” and “hat.”

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MyAmericanSign Language (ASL)* and Deaf studies classes created a strong foundation for learning ASL.

Classes can only go so far in teaching real-world vocabulary, however. as bundles of sticks). It has its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, etc.

Sign language is not universal. What began as a relatively simple system has become an extensive spectrum of colors and meanings. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Within the LGBTQ+ community, few elements are as intriguing and colourful as the hanky code.

As our words and signs change, they embody shifting individual and social representations of LGBTQ identities. Born out of necessity in a less accepting time, it provided a means for connection and self-expression when few other options were available. Let us know of anything you think should be included!

To me, this sign is the least controversial sign to engage in identity discourse as it succinctly references a number of positive attributes of our community.

The hanky code expanded on this idea, introducing a rainbow of colors to represent various preferences and practices.

Purpose & Use in LGBTQ+ Communities:

The primary purpose of the hanky code was to facilitate connections between individuals with compatible sexual interests.

The code also served as a form of in-group signalling, helping members of the LGBTQ+ community recognize each other in public spaces.

We are resilient, radical, colorful, everyday people. The code should be seen as a playful or historical reference rather than a substitute for open dialogue.

Symbols and Signals

How do you tell if someone is gay? Though the meaning and impact of a reclaimed sign depend on the experience of the signer, the listener, and their intentions, this sign has undisputed power regardless of usage.

Specifically, a black handkerchief indicates an interest in heavy S.M. or leather play.

Left pocket: The wearer is dominant in BDSM scenarios
Right pocket: The wearer is submissive in BDSM scenarios

Black's association with leather culture makes it a staple in many LGBTQ+ spaces, even for those not actively participating in the hanky code.

W h i t e : Pure and Simple

White handkerchiefs represent some of the more vanilla or traditional sexual practices.

It can be interpreted as “this sign refers to an individual who identifies as queer.” Even by using fingerspelling, our increasing usage of this word normalizes queer identities.

Though these signs may vary in implication, I appreciate them because of the truth that they all speak to our queer community.

In an era before dating apps and widespread acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, this system provided a discreet yet effective way for people to find potential partners who shared their specific desires. As the community grew, so did the need for subtle ways to communicate sexual interests in public spaces.

One popular theory suggests that the code evolved from the Gold Rush era practice of wearing bandanas to signal whether someone was looking for a dance partner.

These had to be subtle enough to fly under the radar of cisgender heterosexuals, so they were often items of clothing, accessories, slang, styles, or small tattoos that could easily be covered up.

The necessity for secret signals is somewhat diminished these days; the internet, social media, and dating apps have allowed LGBT+ people to connect with relative safety, while tolerance and acceptance grow in societies across the globe. Of course, this is not true of all societies, and in such places even the internet and dating apps may not be safe to use. For this reason, we are choosing to only focus on examples from the past and from countries already on the path to LGBT+ liberation.