Communication is Woven in the Fabric

Flagging is here to stay

By Ashley Sudeta

“Do I look gay?” is the new small talk between my roommates and I. The foundation established after freshman year has allowed us to branch out socially, spurring the question “Do I read as queer?”.

Time, politics, and what every professor calls “the advent of the internet” have changed how queerness is communicated. However, nonverbal methods have long reigned supreme for their ability to convey what cannot be spoken freely. “Flagging” describes the wordless forms of communication—usually worn clothing or accessories—used to convey one’s queer identity or sexual preferences.

In widely known examples, a ring of keys on a beltloop could indicate that someone was lesbian, or a piercing in the right ear could signify that a man was gay. However, the most iconic usage of flagging is the Hanky Code, a practice originated in the 1970s that uses colored handkerchiefs in back pockets to indicate sexual preferences, usually for cruising. The color of handkerchief and pocket side communicated the sexual activities they were looking to partake in. When people refer to “flagging,” nine times out of ten they’re talking about Hanky Code, so I recommend further research if you’re interested. Just basic knowledge of it will give you a clearer perspective of queer history and its intersection with kink.

Flagging isn’t just for the history books though, there are reasons for its preservation. Queer communication remains crucial, especially amid rampant sanitization and exclusionary attitudes towards BIPOC and trans people. The right to community, genuine expression, or sexual freedom shouldn’t hinge on societal acceptance. Although, one may argue that nobody would bother to notice flagging’s small details, there’s nothing small about queer culture and connection. Meanwhile, interactions among my roommates are starting to resemble “The Matrix.” “You go out like that, you’ll look straight, but if you take the ring of keys, you’ll meet women.” Choose wisely.