The Handkerchief Code (The Hanky Code) or Flagging was used in the 70s and 80s to identify the person as gay to other gay men. Predominantly used by men into Bondage Discipline and Sadomasochism (BDSM) each color signified an interest or fetish. The handkerchief drapes out of the back pocket of the person: Tops put the hanky in the left back pocket and bottoms in the back right pocket. Here is the “code”:
- Black – S&M
- Dark Blue – Anal Sex
- Light Blue – Oral Sex
- Brown – Scat
- Green – Hustler
- Grey – Bondage
- Orange – Open to Everything
- Purple – Piercing
- Red – Fisting
- Yellow – water sports
This is a very small list of all the variations. There is a good article on the History Project website that goes into more detail.
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