The Queer Code: Secret Languages of LGBTQ+ Art

[@evasage14]

this video is so wonderful and important, and so so well done! Thank you, your videos mean so much to me and are helping me come to terms with my queer identity.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

[@psalmwarrior7893]

@@davidlafleche1142 yes, our true identity is found in Christ alone

[@robertburroughs7372]

Here's 25% off the Vaseline now get back in the closet!

[@di0554lv4]

This programme, as the rest of the "western knowledge" is too focus in the west. Me, being in a third wordl country citycen never herad of polary and I surely won't need it never anymore. The western culture is over. Welcome to the real wordl.

[@robertburroughs7372]

@@di0554lv4 Well your spelling is a bit third world.

[@randydickison2304]

Growing up as a queer boy in the 1960's and 70's, I learned that there were secret codes some homosexuals used to "safely" identify themselves to others. I wasn't able to really learn those codes, and I was afraid to let people know I was a homosexual. I heard of the hankey code, but I didn't know what color meant what or which pocket to put the hankey in. The only "gay" thing I knew was that many, but not all gay guys spoke with a false lisp. I just didn't like trying to talk like that. I didn't like how it felt to me or how I sounded talking with a lisp. Besides, everyone knew talking with a lisp was a stereo type for gay boys and men anyways, and I feared anyone figuring out my secret. Hearing all the hatred in the 70's and 80's, and the jokes about gay people, then getting beaten up badly a few times, and stabbed when I was fourteen because some boys figured out that I wasn't interested in girls, I decided to just live in the closet totally alone. When I became an adult, I was even afraid to try going to a gay bar, because I was afraid someone might see my van parked there. I envied those gay people that were brave enough to be open about their sexuality, and actually find relationships and friends that were also gay. I never dated. I never had any kind of a long-term relationship. I never even tried to make friends with anyone. The only people I talked to were at work. None of them ever knew who I was. Choosing to hide who I was for almost all of my life was a bad decision that only caused me more pain, but it was the only way I knew how to survive. I will always regret doing that. I finally just couldn't stand my life anymore, and I came out when I was sixty years old. Yeah, that was way too late in life to admit who I am. I'm still alone at age sixty-five. That's mainly my fault, because I kept myself from learning how to meet people and have a relationship. Part of it was because of how I was treated by society as I was growing up. Those things caused emotional damage. Still, I think I'm better now.

[@katethegoat7507]

It's not too late to have some experiences! I know there's plenty of guys out there who love older guys

[@George_Snow]

I'm so sorry you spent so long in isolation. I'm glad you are finally yourself now, even if you are not in a relationship. It's never too late of course... I'm 49 and starting over after most of a lifetime of denial. I am so grateful that the world has moved on and it is now _relatively_ safe at least in more progressive societies. Best wishes to you and I hope you find who/what you need...

[@randydickison2304]

@@George_Snow I'm glad you found the strength to be yourself at an earlier age than I did. I know from experience that you can now feel better abought yourself than you did before. Your life should get better.

[@elspethfougere9683]

Im so sorry society abused you in those ways. I can imagine it must have been incredibly lonely to be so alone like that, to know that maybe there were some like you out there but too disconnected and isolated to meet. Its so good you can tell your story, please keep telling your tale and if you can document it, because it is such an important testimony to why our lives and the protection of our lives matters and must be so so cared for, the way you deserved but didnt receive since childhood ❤ Im so so sure that if you can find courage now, there are elders coffees and movie screenings, and meet ups. I am so sure you will meet someone who is willing to be your friend, and to go slowly to get to know you, and build trust, to be safe to be a partner maybe have a relationship. You probably have many years ahead where life could improve, where you can learn the social skills, and learn to relax with other like minded men ❤ Im so sure things can improve ❤

[@ChaaruVijay]

Nooooo bro you can totally lead a happy life so many men want an older guy!!! We're all here for you and you can do it!

[@pibbitybibbity]

Regarding the pink triangle use in the Nazi Germany concentration camps: a bit of history that most people don’t know is that when the allies defeated the Nazis and liberated the concentration camps, the survivors wearing pink triangles denoting their homosexuality were NOT set free. Because homosexuality was illegal in Germany (and in most of the world at that time), they were were sent directly to prison!

[@MaatSekhem]

Sick, sick, sick!! FFS!! Thanks, I did not know that but am not surprised either....😢

[@jasonshallenberger4879]

Every country had these laws back then. The UK castrated the very man that saved us all from becoming annihilated by the Nazis. Alan Turing, because he was gay. The US had sodomy laws, etc etc.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Jfc talk about out of the frying pan into the fire.

[@HistoricGentleman]

They also don’t like to admit that the DDR (East Germany) decriminalized it 30 years before west Germany

[@BicTransparente]

You can see an depiction of this in Jojo Rabbit. In the end of the movie, we can see Captain K. (a gay man that often helps the main character) wearing lots of pink triangles on his clothes, still he was killed alongside with the nazis.

[@sk8085-b]

I love Oscar Wilde but I never knew about the green carnation! Thank you for the video, I learned a lot

[@nationalgalleriesofscotland]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Nice

[@BethDiane]

I remember once buying green carnations as a gift for a friend giving her senior recital on Saint Patrick's Day.

[@BlytheWestchild]

I liked him too tbh and then I found out he 'dated' a child in his later years and I was like *bruh*

[@wormperson]

@@BlytheWestchild yes, he wasn't imprisoned because he was gay, he was imprisoned because he kept being a pervert towards young boys from different social circles (is that how u say it??)

[@ozvoyager]

As a gay man who was around in the 70s and 80s I can testify that almost nobody actually understood, much less followed, the hanky code. To start with, there were so many different colours denoting different behaviours or acts that it was all just too overwhelming. The average gay guy might have picked up on one or two that were more obvious (e.g. yellow), but since almost nobody knew them all, there was really no point in deploying the code. Also, a lot of guys just wore a hanky in their back pocket, or wherever, as a fashion choice. If you actually approached them thinking it was a signal, you'd generally find out they had no idea what it was supposed to mean. Most guys didn't even know that one pocket was supposed to signify active, while the other was passive, in relation to each act. (To this day I can't remember which was which). Anyone who maintains that it was actually a widely used code is, to be frank, full of shit.

[@davemathews7890]

I grew up in San Francisco in the late 70's and 80's and was definitely aware of the code because part of the "Castro Clone" look was a hanky in the back pocket. I was there, I saw it, I'm not full of shit. In fact, I remember being puzzled for a long time by the black hanky (if you don't know what that means, you probably don't want to). The whole thing sort of disappeared with the advent of telephone chat rooms where you could hook up with other men at a time when there was no internet.

[@CatchThesePaws]

I’m part of subcultures that remind me of this exact phenomenon lol! The people outside the community see it as a complex and strict code while the community itself just treats it nonchalantly.

[@tula1433]

What do you think of the forced masculinization that happened to homosexuals with the start of the gay community? Homosexuals have been effeminate and sometimes present in a cross sex manner all throughout history until the start of the egalitarian clone gay scene. Did you notice this pressure in your time ? The “wear a suit to protests so they think we’re just like normal men” mentality.

[@alvaeriksson3623]

Just because that's your experience doesn't mean it's everyone's lol

[@davemathews7890]

Not sure, but maybe ozvoyager is from Australia (or maybe the Land of Oz LOL). That's a fairly remote corner of the world, so perhaps the practice there was a bit different from what was happening in the U.S.. Anyway, isn't it wonderful that gay people no longer have to communicate in code? Instead of wrangling over the existence vs. nonexistence of a long forgotten code, we should celebrate the fact that we can be open and unashamed in a way that was hardly thought possible in the 1970s.

[@absurdum-the-artist]

I live in a country where being openly queer is illegal and extremely unsafe, so seeing those hidden codes is very uplifting and inspiring

[@zoecoffee9054]

What country

[@absurdum-the-artist]

@@zoecoffee9054 Russia

[@hensoakira]

@@zoecoffee9054russia maybe

[@absurdum-the-artist]

@@hensoakira yeah, Russia

[@absurdum-the-artist]

@jessmelgar219 thank you so much! 💞💞

[@charlesprice925]

I had a straight Air Force commander in the 70's and 80's whose wife chose his civilian clothes becasue he had no sense of style. While visiting the large nearby city of the deployed base, he wore the white shoes, with white pants, his wife had selected for him, not knowing they were a signal to gay men, and was followed by another man for most the afternoon. Until he asked the man why. The man explained the meaning of what he was wearing and apologized for any imposition. The commander told him he didn't' "swing that way" but appreciated the complement. Not being a particularly handsome guy, he didn't think anyone even noticed him.

[@Daelyah]

awwwww 🥺 Glad he at least respectfully declined, versus getting mad or creeped out like homophobes would.

[@nicoleashleyknox]

See the wife didn't know either, she was like this is what fashionable men wear these days!

[@charlesprice925]

@@nicoleashleyknox Gay men have set fashion trends for a long time, but the general public hasn't been aware. Some designers even began tracking them in the 60's and 70's to create spin offs.

[@melonjuice7441]

He was like, "I still got it!"

[@riyapatel6291]

​@charlesprice925 and barbie . Well Ken doll

[@traekas7481]

In the 1980s, I used to wear color coded bandannas in the back pocket of my 501’s if I was going out to the bars. So, the “hidden” code wasn’t just for Gay guys. It was for Gay women, too. Saved me from some awkward misunderstandings, too, as I recall. 😊.

[@kaipoland3174]

Would love to hear any stories you have from your experiences with that

[@swankeeper5679]

To differentiate butch from femme? Just the appearance and apparel was enough I believe.

[@MillyThe_Rat]

​@@swankeeper5679 just to know if she's gay i beliece? Butch and femme are about fashion/general appereance, what are you thinking?

[@kath5201]

Now I understand what happened at that bar! I love green. I had a green bandana. I'm not gay.....😂😂😂

[@TheLemon333]

Oh you might enjoy how much more diverse it is than butch and femme. Just google flagging and look at all the dif. kinks associated with each color and what pocket it goes in.@@swankeeper5679

[@SydBaron]

Male peacock? All peacocks are male. A female peafowl is called a peahen. In general, male birds are brightly coloured while females are less so or even dull, in contrast to humans.

[@k.s.k.7721]

I worked at a zoo and the way it was explained is that the male puts on mating plumage once to twice a year to be more beautiful. The female does not, because she's already beautiful, and has no reason to change.

[@annoldham3018]

As the parrots 🦜 sketch said, "beautiful plumage "!😆

[@roj4169]

@@k.s.k.7721 That's not how it works. They always have colorful plumage. They molt, but the plumage is always there. And it's a result of sexual selection, basically females have chosen "handsome" males because it means they're healthier and their offspring will survive better.

[@ketherwhale6126]

So they can hide in the brush peahens and camouflage protect their chicks. The males act as decoys for predators.

[@JohnMiller-oz7gv]

Nice.

[@rottensquid]

I've been giving some bit of thought to the concept of the "queer aesthetic" of late, and I've come to an interesting notion. I think queer aesthetic is marked by an absence, rather than a presence. We don't always consciously realize how utterly pervasive the "straight" code is in art, how it influences so many aspects of our aesthetics, until some piece of it is removed, reversed, subverted, or otherwise shifted. And voila, there it is, the "queer aesthetic." I think this is why the queer aesthetic can appear even without the artist realizing, because the straight code is, by and large, entirely subconscious. And so queer artists might not even know when they've subverted it. Art is largely an expression of feeling. So what feels right to a queer artist isn't the same as what feels "normal" or whatever to a straight audience. Yet perhaps there's also something about the subtle subversion of the straight code that everyone connects to. It breaks through the mindless routine of social behaviors, and speaks to individuality. I think everyone, no matter how straight, feels oppressed by the limits straight identity. People aren't queer or straight first, we're ourselves first. So that's why I think a touch of queer aesthetic often speaks to straight people. It affords breathing room, where "straight" aesthetic tends to feel suffocating.

[@yintermint]

Wait.. you're right. Omg.

[@jakemoeller7850]

Being "a friend of Mary" was a verbal note to acquaintances.

[@cleoldbagtraallsorts3380]

Or a friend of Dorothy.

[@JohnC-pt1iw]

Gay men have even have issues with themselves , not all like each other.

[@rottensquid]

I've been told it's "in the family" in France.

[@ktkat1949]

Polari is very easy to learn. I did and I am a straight female. How did I do it? Simple I listened to the British Radio show Around the Horne which is still available on You Tube. Two characters called Julian and Sandy basically spoke Polari most of the time. They were very camp and very funny. The BBC simple did not understand what was going on. The ones that did know kept it to themselves. Julian and Sandy skits are also still available on You Tube. They are fantabuloso!

[@benfisher1376]

Why would you learn a defunct gay slang as a straight woman?😄

[@towacunt]

@@benfisher1376 yeah erm.. thats kind of really weird😹😹😹😹💪💪🙀😐

[@abelis644]

@@benfisher1376 Why not? Why learn anything??? Curiosity and learning about other people and cultures is fun and conquers hatred.

[@abelis644]

@@towacunt Not weird at all, why learn anything about any culture? She has an open mind and a healthy curiosity.

[@abelis644]

Awesome!🥰👋🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈

[@j_l3503]

Really interesting topic and fabulous editing. I absolutely love your videos! Please continue on producing them!

[@nationalgalleriesofscotland]

More to come!

[@rodiculous9464]

holy hell this is professional quality, super underrated channel

[@freg963]

The black triangle “antisocial” symbol was mostly used to represent the Roma/Sinti. My great grandmother and her family were Slovenian, so they were put to work in Italy instead of being killed like in most Yugoslavic countries. I wish more people knew about the Porajmos, over 90% of us were killed

[@RevRod92]

I was obsessed with green carnations as a kid! I had no idea I was queer at the time but this makes so much sense now!

[@kathleenkalt3852]

My parents gave me green carnations every year on my birthday. The gemstone for May birthdays is the emerald, so they chose green. I still love the spicy scent

[@dianele608]

It's strange but some people may copy the style just because they like it not knowing it's supposed to mean something.

[@MaDFQ]

This is exactly how I feel about most gothic/biker fashion styles trending out of the 70-90s, those rockstars were gay but also making money sex idols and not out so it became fashion 🌈

[@agsheuehd]

*many

[@rottensquid]

​@@MaDFQ The look on my face when I heard the story of Rob Halford.

[@auldthymer]

I hadn't heard about the green carnation, but in New York(?) men would wear a pansy in their lapels; hence the slur.

[@feloniousbutterfly]

Rome began rather indifferent to queerness, but as imperialism grew there, so did its irrational hate for queerness. Imperialism, authoritarianism, colonialism are and always have been our greatest enemies. Never forget that.

[@sillybirdy1994]

I think its very important to understand that Romes intolerance for queerness goes hand in hand with the rise of Christianity and the fall of Paganism in Rome. Christianity has always been a hateful intolerant religion.

[@singlenow5699]

Secret language... sometimes just isn't heard. No matter how loud it's spoken.

[@damonroberts7372]

One reason that queer coding persists in contemporary art, despite decriminalisation and social liberalisation, is the joy of "I know something you don't know". If there isn't a word for that feeling, there ought to be one. :)

[@Ad_Astra2023]

Amazing video! I’ve learned a lot. I’m not gay but I think it’s important for everyone to learn from the history our ancestors so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes again.

[@loner844]

I feel like antiquity didn’t have queer labels because it didn’t need them, queerness was already accepted. nowadays, due to discrimination, we need labels and codes to fight for our place, find community, distinguish ourselves, and identify ourselves within this greater culture.

[@romaerb4161]

Thank you for elevating this Light Sculptor's visual literacy in the center of the Show Me state! I shot the art of drag for five years and seldom understood the terms they used. This has reframed the way I see their performances and My own work! I hope to do with light what Picasso did with line!

[@rachelgarber1423]

I remember seeing a yellow handkerchief in one of my friend’s pockets. I never told him I knew what it stood for

[@bluestrife28]

I think my fave little secret about us is we invented the word swag for “secretly we are gay;” all the G’s really don’t like hearing this one but I love telling it.

[@robertknight2556]

Actually, 'swag' is Middle English (10th to 15th century), possibly derived from Scandinavian. So it's been around for a long long time, and in the 60's was appropriated by gays as an acronym to give it their own meaning. Much later on, it was incorporated into rap music, but without the sense gays used for it. It's an interesting word, going through various interpretations of its meaning throughout its life.

[@BM-fz9yc]

I love how you are taking credit for something based on shared sexuality.

[@robertknight2556]

@@BM-fz9yc ....I don't have a clue what you are talking about. I merely recorded the origin of 'swag', and the meanings given to it over the many long years of its being. I'm not sure who these 'we' gays were, but they did not 'invent' the word as bluestrife28 reports. And, excuse me, it's not 'love', but dislike on your part. Say what you mean. Robert, 74, gay, UK.

[@svantlas6034]

@@robertknight2556 It's really interesting and quite common. It's called a 'backronym' when the word comes first and pepole make the acronym later.

[@jackiemoffitt6780]

I heard that's an urban legend but it is true some of the rappers who'd say 'swag' a lot like Tyler the Creator and Lil B have connections with the queer community.

[@williamjones7163]

I do remember going to bars in the early 80's when the hanky code was extensive. However me being slightly color blind I had to be careful about its interpretation.😋

[@cottonsheep2367]

this sounds like the setup for a sitcom

[@josephwinder6878]

As an avid clubber in the gay scene in the late 70s and through the 80s I can say none of us ever really worked the hanky. Though I would wear bandanas sometimes for other reasons. Only once in my life did a man ever perceive some meaning in the red bandana in my back pocket.

[@TomMorrison-cc6xw]

In both New York & DC, the hanky code was very useful. The EXTREMELY closeted DC types -- which was a huge majority in those days -- could wear their color(s) & assume the hets wouldn't get it. It was far more important to ensure it was in the correct pocket, than the color, unless you wanted to indulge your fetish -- red & blue were the basics, but ofc there was a whole gamut. In New York, dress codes were so strict for bars that the wrong shoes &/or hankies would mean "no admittance." Ran a foul of that in Miami, too. I have REALLY MIXED emotions about the movie "Cruising," but one thing we agreed on at the time was that they got the hanky codes right. Just like any fad/signifier, some areas has more prominent use than others. Are split eyebrows still a thing?

[@compupix]

Too bad details about the hanky code had to be omitted. For people curious enough to look it up, don't be intimidated by all of the colors. The most common colors were dark blue, light blue, red, black, & yellow. Similar to the hanky code, where you clip your keys (left side or right side) was (is?) also common.

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

And earrings... at least where I was, in the 80's... but that was more a homophobic apparent code for general identification, sadly 😞

[@NtlMuseumsScot]

Wonderful video on a fascinating and important subject - great work!

[@nationalgalleriesofscotland]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@jerryhoffman9833]

Please share this with the young ones … They really need to know about their past.

[@theunknowngamer5477]

And most of them choose not to care, their proof of being a functioning part of society will never be in doubt. The past has nothing to do with a tomorrow, when F-ing up everything is a solution. Let them inherit the wind.

[@josephwinder6878]

They don't seem to care, the days of solidarity are over. A young gay guy told me he couldn't care less about the riots, the murders, the discrimination the older generation fought through to get where we are today. It's a cheap shallow world and today's youngsters seem to think everything was just handed to them on a silver platter. People Died so today's youngsters could be free to express themselves.

[@stillnotstill]

40 year old queer here, I feel so disconnected from the history of my community due to not seeing representation, not being taught, people actively trying to suppresses it, etc, and I feel sad about it but then when I hear things like the above it makes me feel even sadder that they don't even want the connection I do have

[@jerryhoffman9833]

Hey guys……thanks so much for your insights. I’m glad and sad at the same time knowing that I’m not the only one that feels this way.

[@joshme3659]

@@jerryhoffman9833 dw they are being doomers theres still plenty of people young and old interested and passionate about the history. Obviously not everyone will be interested but plenty are i for one

[@caileg5664]

BRO I HIGHKEY FELT LIKE I WAS WATCHING A MILLION SUB CHANNEL YALL UNDERRATED FR

[@alexoceanmeow]

Remembering how my high school bff used to draw that exact nautical star thing on eeeveerything lol. When I was figuring out, "oh shit, I'm bi!" I remember thinking how not-straight she was lol. I know speculation is bad, but the signs keep popping up lolol

[@alyciamarie4163]

I wanted that as a tattoo when I was in HS and I’m not gay so … lol just emo hahaha

[@alexoceanmeow]

@@alyciamarie4163 that too! But I thought she was not straight for.. a good handful of other reasons lol

[@mobarco]

it's Lilith from the Owl House!

[@ulexite-tv]

Important artistic subject matter, lots of information, and superb graphic editing. Thanks!

[@burnyizland]

I can't believe I have the history - and education - that I do and I had never heard of the green carnation! Thank you, I didn't think I had anything left to learn on this subject. I'm glad I took the chance!

[@Jonnie-Falafel]

Because "queer identities" are a peculiarly modern concept imposed on the past by queer theorists. Meanings of art codes might have been quite different in the past. There's quite a revisionist slant to this video.

[@BrilliantHandle]

@@Jonnie-Falafelwhat is your evidence for this?

[@amberevol]

this is awesome but I can't believe you didn't mention Georgia O'Keeffe when you covered the flower theme in art!! 💕

[@user-nd7rg5er5g]

That's because Georgia O'Keeffe's famous paintings about flowers have constantly been misinterpreted, often by male audiences at the time who assumed that her paintings were sexual in nature (as was common at that art period). She was greatly disappointed by the misinterpretation of her art.

[@jameswalsh8754]

I’m going to be very honest I am appalled that you did not include Tom of Finland. He is most likely probably one of the first gay men that actually explored gay masculinity in art. But I’m going to assume that you did not include them because like the general gay community they ignore the gay leather community

[@runderdfrech3560]

+James Walsh. What is the ,gay leather community' ? Or is it another secret code word?

[@danteviagoescudero6312]

@@runderdfrech3560 gay leather community means literally gay people who wear or fancy leather, vinyl, pvc, etc. it's usually tied with bondage, roleplay or domination/submission.

[@Thao-nathos]

I mean it could also easily be because it's a 10 minute videos only amd couldn't cover everything Still sad tho, the leather community would have been a nice addictio

[@benfisher1376]

More likely its not "inclusive" enough. Queer is now the thing, and gay men are almost seen as privileged as straight white men by some progressive LGBTQIAXYZ

[@HisEvilDomain]

This was about *secret* language. Yes Tom of Finland is a vital part of queer art, but his work is also brazenly queer. Cruising sites, acutal acts depicted, all entirely direct. His work is important, and features leather, yes, but it was not fitting the brief of this video about secret language and symbolism. Could you recommend any other artists that were only using coded language and leather?

[@marccardiff]

Noel Coward, who never actually came out, wrote a song called "Green Carnation" for his operetta Bitter Sweet. It's a fairly unflattering portrait of foppish society boys fron the 1930s that appears to be a projection of his own internalized homophobia. It's obvious that it is about gay men, but I never knew the origin and significance of the symbol until now. Excellent video, I only wish it were a full length documentary, it feels like they've only scratched the surface. Fascinating.

[@rocklobster64]

You showed all these great pieces and only talked about the symbolism of a few. Would love to see something more in depth!

[@rocklobster64]

The inclusion of a still frame from Rocky horror and a painting of Saint Sebastian without even mentioning their significance was kind of a let down.

[@majorfeelgoodrecords2740]

A person tickled the palm of my hand in a handshake once. I laughed so much I think I embarrassed the poor gentleman. I’m also a super straight heterosexual & have since worked and partied with homosexuals and had a ball. We are humans that have a short time to live, just live life and go for it 🎼🤘🤘🤘

[@bullzdawguk]

Nice one! Your tolerance reflects the fact that you are secure with your sexuality. Generally, I find most people are tolerant. There have been rare occasions when I've had to deal with idiots. My favourite story happened when I was out clubbing with a straight work colleague and friends of his, all of whom I had never met before. All of them were really nice, apart from one mate of his. The guy kept going out of his way to let me know he's not into guys and hitting on him would get me nowhere. Finally, in front of all his mates, I told him he had nothing to worry about, and I would never hit on him. Then I added, "Anyway, I have a type I like and you're definitely not my type. So, you're safe." "Oh? Right! You have a type? What is your type?" And there it was. The fool fell into my trap. If he had let it go when I told him he wasn't my type, I would have been happy. But he just HAD to ask the question I set him up for. "What is your type?" "My type? I'm really into men." He had to think about my reply for a few seconds before the penny dropped. He stopped all his bullshit after that. Plus, I gave all his mates a damn good laugh. 🤣

[@queerulantin6431]

Super straight? Omg why do you need to make everything about your sexuality Super straight is btw a transphobic code.

[@hanakoskokeshidoll]

when you say super strait do you mean you are very comfortable in your sexuality or THAT kind of super strait

[@KaosTolas]

@@hanakoskokeshidoll fr 💀

[@tourmelion9221]

So you don't date trans people cause they're trans? There's a bit of blur around that, do you mean those with bottom surgery indistinguishable from other women or those without

[@andrearaujo9725]

Lambda actually stands for wavelength. It can be interconverted to energy, yes, but the lambda itself is not usually used to represent an energy per se 🤓

[@MrSandman_0981]

Wait a minute....Conan Doyle mentions Sherlock wearing green carnations in the books! OMG

[@madelinehook533]

I used to be obsessed with the nautical star, I drew it all the time. It seems I was subconsciously aware of its meaning before I knew I liked women.

[@roisingrant]

SAME omg

[@smilfusii4191]

I love using queer codes nowadays because it shows you who's done their research. By no means does every LGBTQ+ person need to know the significance of lavender or a pink triangle, however if someone does recognise it you know you have a common interest in queer history.

[@mrbutch308]

Polari, the secret "lingo" of gay men in the early to mid Twentieth Century, was a British thing. North American gay men had their own slang but it was not has highly developed as Polari.

[@sylve2474]

I never really made the connection overtly that ace rings function the same way as these older symbols of queerness did

[@simi5558]

us nowadays :*cuffs jeans* "do u listen to girl in red"?

[@normanclatcher]

**turns out pocket** **produces an 8-track labelled "penelope scott"** **leaves with no further elaboration**

[@mediocre_fig]

'I like cavetown'

[@Bobbiejoinscore]

Yes I do, how’d you know? *walking in the gayest way possible*

[@alecbrown66]

I remember back to my early years when red socks or pocket handkerchief was still a thing, plus which side you wore an earing or ear stud

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

YES not to mention the odd socks thing - my mum picked up on that in "Rebel Without a Cause" on Plato, and adopted it. But I personally remember the earring thing.... although it was "left is right and right is wrong" in my town and actually a homophobic expression 😞

[@K-newborn]

nowadays just say you support bernie sanders or that guns need to be banned

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

@@K-newborn Based on your comment and username, you've conflated being gay with something else entirely. also i know of 3 straighty180s they love that progressive stuff, check out the artist Mark Ruffalo

[@K-newborn]

@@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494 my user name is irrelavant to the convo, bernie and vaush and cenk condone it not me a gay man

[@brandondixon2138]

In some circles, the hanky code is still a thing. For example, in BDSM circles, especially gay ones, it's very much alive.

[@Dani_1012]

You deserve more views, your content is amazing

[@johanneshalberstadt3663]

Fully just showing a photoshopped green ROSE, while talking about green carnations.in a video explaining symbolism. Great work!!👍

[@bird5485]

How is it photoshopped?

[@tove8719]

Interesting! Harry Styles also wore a green carnation in his pocket for the premier of My Policeman, so it seems like it still lives on! And I love that we keep having new accessories to signal our queerness, such as the ace ring, cutting two nails short, septums etc.

[@MicaFarrierRheayan]

The secret code - also in the way we talk. If I go to the bar now, I'd just say that I am into theater. This is a suffice indication, at least in my area

[@deroux]

Great informative video! As an artist who is also a queer trans woman, I thank you.

[@petreasupagain5036]

Dude you can’t just spill our secrets like this 😂

[@kkibela]

If i was teacher id def show this to my kids. Really well put together. Also the nazi codes were an eye opener.. history makes it seem as if they only came for the jews but a little further digging revealed it was disabled and even diabetics?! And anyone with a pacifying (ill take that as peaceful) religion.. also neuro divergent folks too.. just a shade too close to what politicians and alot of content creators are doing now. Please point me to any more info as the badges i feel still werent being properly explained

[@maxwellbowman4084]

“Pacifying” religion probably referred to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They refused to serve in the military and several thousand were sent to the concentration camps.

[@joutatheegg]

Id also like to know about more info about the badges

[@Cidiuss]

It started with disabled on 1st of september 1939 - T4 Aktion. "Tough on crime" policies was already deeply entrenched in daily life by regime. The triangle badges represented people not worthy of living (gas chambers or execution) in Nazi Germany or being free people (de facto death penalty by egregious and taxing labour), among the few there was Political, Criminal, Asocial and Homosexual patches. They could be paired up with another triangle to make a star of David (Jew), had letters symbolising nationality, so red triangle intertwined with yellow one with P inside was for Polish-Jew political prisoner.

[@davidoneill9244]

I certainly would not want any child of mine to see this. It is indoctrination of the worst kind

[@imaginechi7677]

it really is sad that people don't seem to accept people for who they are anymore.

[@arpitachakraborty8969]

Guess who showed up in a red carpet recently with a GIANT green carnation????

[@mediocre_fig]

HARRY STYLES

[@arpitachakraborty8969]

@@mediocre_fig YES

[@Mottejotte]

Obsessed with your videos, thank you so much for this one, the content was great!

[@nationalgalleriesofscotland]

You're so welcome!

[@beeb88]

I have this peacock silhouette picture I acquired from my grandmother, I've always liked it but now i do so even more, now that I understand the connotation .✨️✨️

[@rg78w54]

i don't think that's good

[@ladyreverie7027]

@@rg78w54 no one cares

[@rg78w54]

@@ladyreverie7027 apparently you do

[@stuffynosepatrol]

@@rg78w54 nobody is interested in your opinions :)

[@CT-uv8os]

The Peacock is the symbol of Lord Vishnus avatar Krishna. Just as the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland ( it is) maybe one should be more sensitive to the culture it originally represents before appropating it.

[@chookaschookas444]

Growing up in the 70's, we were very aware of pinky rings worn by gay actors. It was a badge that was worn, especially by British actors

[@susannpatton2893]

Men wore boutonnier in their lapel. People used to dress for dinner, Men wore suits everywhere. Not sure I'm going for this piece- except to say that Men wore flowers on their lapels.

[@anjelicaa7738]

We're the black or brown LGBTQ+ artistic historians for this documentary???

[@starveartist]

One of my favorite ever videos on youtube!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@nationalgalleriesofscotland]

Yay! Thank you!

[@platocause7080]

Excellent video! What a great channel...

[@lyetaherb4703]

This documentary was quite interesting. Thank you I appreciate the information. Nice...

[@annoldham3018]

Polari is very clever. And quite funny too.

[@koa-z]

Polari is interesting, because as someone who spent pretty much the entirety of his youth through adolescence entirely separated from other surviving out queer people, I never learned it until I became an adult. My first encounters with other out queer adults were very funny, because we'd be months into our friendships and they'd reveal that they were queer and be surprised that I couldn't tell? And in retrospect they used a lot of polari and leaned into certain stereotypes, but I never knew about any of that due to complete isolation.

[@larryjones-emery807]

Really! Thank you. I am so sorry that such subverted codes had to used. People need to just be who they are. Sexuality is one's Private concern.

[@scottrider641]

Such s fantastic video.ody of these symbols and practices I've never heard of Thanks for posting this 👍👌

[@DeidreL9]

Ah I knew about this, l absolutely adore Oscar, and this is a fabulous video! Thank you❤️

[@RIXRADvidz]

We've come a long way baby, no need for secret languages or hankie codes. We've Got GRINDR

[@davemathews7890]

You could do an entire video on the hanky codes. If you have to ask what those were, you don't want to know. BTW, not all of us homosexuals like being referred to as "queer." For those of us of a certain generation, "queer" is a hateful term that was lobbed at us by intolerant straights for many, many years. It's about as bad as calling someone a "faggot" today. I'm glad younger people feel they have appropriated it and given the word a new meaning, but please don't call me queer.

[@fennwenn3317]

I really do not intend to make like of your trauma, but as part of the younger generation, the dangerous, hateful term that was lobbed around with bile and spite was "gay" back when I was in school. That was the term that was used as a slur. It seems to me that no matter what words describe ourselves, the intolerant will use that word as a weapon. I won't call you queer, but I feel disheartened whenever I see people try to tamp down on the use of it out of fear. I wish you well. The hanky codes sound fascinating.

[@davemathews7890]

@@fennwenn3317 KZbin deleted my last comment, not sure why, except KZbin is far happier to censor anything and everything than the Kremlin ever was. Maybe they didn't like the Q-word lol. I don't think it's fear that makes me dislike that word, it's the fact that I don't like being insulted. Your comment, whether you intended that or not, was infinitely condescending. I assume you're young and look at someone like me as too old (I'm 64) and completely useless to have a valid point of view. At the risk of seeming like an angry old pensioner, maybe you should be reminded that if it weren't for old crocks like me, your championing of the Q-word would be moot. We took a lot of shit back in the day so that a younger generation could get legally married, serve in the military and work for companies with anti-discrimination policies. Until you go through something like the AIDS epidemic, you really have no right calling someone who did "fearful."

[@Daelyah]

Whatever you're comfortable with, go for it. I understand that some terms are painful for some, while others will embrace them to take the power back, but the latter have no intent of slighting the former on that. I've just been using queer as part of my identity for years, considering more and more facets I've learned about myself as I get older. And I remember growing up with homophobia all around me, even at home or just hanging out with relatives; I still vividly remember a specific moment when my dad had me and my sisters join him and his coworkers for bowling, and in my youthful ignorance, awkwardly laughed in response to a homophobic joke someone made during an Ozzy Osbourne song...which I am not going to elaborate further. But I think back on that memory quite a bit, when I bring up how I use the term "queer" for myself, because I guess it's my challenge to all the hate that I dealt with, growing up.

[@bettedavisweloveyou270]

Exactly, and it is personally problematic and disrespectful to associate Oscar Wilde with the word ''queer'' since Oscar was basically the first gay man to be insulted by the word.

[@josephwinder6878]

I didn't like it either at first but I started using it to self describe and I found it took power away from the abusers. So lately I've sometimes called myself faggot because it takes the wind out of their sails. Also as straights sometimes swear f@#£en faggot or f#@&en poofter I've taken to saying bloody heteros when angry. Notice you don't really hear people say f@#£en lesbians. Like they're not gay women! Just saying

[@ΚωνσταντίναΑποστόλου-ω9ε]

WOW those videos are really helpful from our phycology and they help us to know things that we wasn't know! ❤🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️💖💗 I'm from Greece and i am transgender (ftm) /non binary and questioning on my orientation. After that videos i always feeling better and stronger for the future! ❤❤ Thank you.❤🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍Why queer history is not teaching at schools!??!

[@compaqtube]

Wish it included more perspectives from queer POCs

[@tulip811]

Then do your research

[@compaqtube]

@@tulip811 I did. The producers of the video should've done their homework too. How many times do we have to erase POCs from this discussion? A diverse perspective matters.

[@stuffynosepatrol]

Here is something to look into: the queer chinese meaning of a cut sleeve. It's got a very wholesome origin.

[@erinhollow773]

I was researching stuff like this on another account, and by some coincidence this video was recommended here!!

[@Tidybitz]

Very interesting, but not mentioned was men wearing rings on their little fingers. Left or right denoted passive or active, but I can't recall which now, although I still always wear one on my right finger. Nowadays many men gay and straight do this so I guess it's no longer a thing, I don't know.

[@nekorina9011]

Thank u so much for this vid! It's really cool to learn about these things, though I would have liked to see more bi symbols!

[@notjigyasa4089]

4:43 ACHILLES AND PATROCLUS MY OG GAYS

[@elihyland4781]

British radio program from the 50's called Around The Horn included a bunch of coded phrases passed as comedy. very interesting stuff worth a check out. british radio is also just cool history in and of itself

[@philiphoel4290]

In the 50s many gay men in the bigger cities(especially those in the theater)would wear yellow clothing on Thursday. I have absolutely no idea how the custom started.

[@nicoleashleyknox]

"On Thursdays we wear yellow" is revolutionary!

[@philipthomey7884]

For us in school, grade 7, Purple on Thursdays was gay. We hardly knew what gat was but soon found out

[@MrCrowebobby]

I'm 86, so I was around for the hanky code and knew most of them, I think, but I never could and still can't remember which side meant you were active and which side meant you were passive.

[@joshingaboutwithjosh]

Lambda is and continues to be quite exceptional

[@rosieskies]

Does anyone know what the painting is at 7:39 ?

[@domrepvega]

So any non-white queer history that you would like to share? Asian? Native? Black?

[@vant83]

Excellent and important video!

[@nationalgalleriesofscotland]

Glad you think so!

[@strzyzenierzemieslnikow4082]

Thank you for this video

[@SusanHukel-rm4lg]

I only knew one of these.This was very informative,thank you for the opportunity to learn.

[@mlck24]

0:26 is that Stephen Fry?

[@michellebyrom6551]

Playing Oscar Wilde, the performance he was born to give.

[@dilbaum]

7:12 We are not only every color in the spectrum, we're also none. If you accept "every" color you still accept the perception of color. If we make it concrete, if we think of gender identities in definite colors and colors in between and then think of the sexuality between people of any one of THESE identities (colors), we still restrain these people to those identities. Usually these identities are used to differentiate "from" the standard in THIS society hence implicitly accepting this society and these standards THIS this specific standard.

[@libbykenilworth]

Thank you - this video was fascinating! 🖤🤍💜🌈🍂

[@teptime]

In 1940s-era NYC(and possibly elsewhere, to a lesser degree), the particulars of knotting an ascot were coded to denote one's availability for paid sex, or willingness to pay.

[@LoireValleyChateaux]

There's NO code. Just stare someone down like they're the most beautiful thing you've ever seen in your life and they'll get the message or beat the hell out of you. Fortunately I'm easy enough on the eyes that I've NEVER been beaten down! ❤️🙏

[@lindarice1589]

In the sixties, young queers in my school, would ware yellow and green clothing on Tuesdays.

[@CreatorProductionsOriginal]

Well, from now on if I have a gay character that will never really be said that he’s gay, I will just put a hanging pocket cloth, or the flower or the peacock feather every time he’s in the screen Like he’s biking around and In the background peacocks appear from time to time

[@evanpenn1]

I've heard of the DaVinci Code. But this is a new one. Will Tom Hanks star in the movie version of this one too?

[@ziolp]

This is very white focused. Can you share how other cultures navigated queerness?

[@stuffynosepatrol]

Here is a fun one from China: the cut sleeve is a symbol of male homosexuality thanks to a story about a chinese emperor who was asleep with his gay lover/political rival in his courtyard and because he didnt want to risk waking up his gay lover he cut off his sleeve to let him sleep in peace while he could go off and do some political stuff or whatever.

[@thebuilder5271]

I think this vid is specifically about the UK

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

@@stuffynosepatrol I remember reading about that! Thank you for reminding me! You're quite erudite for a bird 🙂

[@stuffynosepatrol]

@@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494 you're very welcome :)

[@critiasdetested4749]

these videos are so important. know your history!!!

[@riddhimanna8437]

Harry Styles wore a green carnation to the premiere of the movie My Policeman

[@mediocre_fig]

That's what I was thinking. Closet is glass

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

@@mediocre_fig Well... he does play a closeted gay character in the 50's in the film, so there's also that...

[@mediocre_fig]

@@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494 also he sort of came out I forgot about that

[@K-newborn]

he also wears dresses

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

@@K-newborn Scots men wear kilts. Your point?

[@hazelhouse3784]

Thanks for the great content! Does anyone know what the art piece at 9:15 is with the two women smoking on the boat?

[@LisaBeta-42]

"Private" by Marie Høeg (1866-1949) and Bolette Berg (1872-1944) who ran a photographic studio in Horton, Norway at the end of the 19th century. Only in the late 1980s more than 400 glass negatives of their work were discovered in an old barn in Oslo, where they had moved to, more than 80 years before. Some of these pictures played with gender stereotypes - hidden in that special box - today you might see them as cosplay or "more"...

[@marraqueta4853]

i´m really enjoying this channel

[@Acousticlystrange]

Is just like to say it's wonderful that you expressed your exeptance for gay people and create d an exclusively informit ive video that doesn't push an agenda of force us to support, thank you for being inclusive, in multiple ways.

[@richardengelhardt582]

A potentially interesting topic, but this video is simplistic to the point of being reductive

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

It's...SHORT. Seriously. By definition something this long can only be an overview.