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When I wear these forms of queer expression, I feel more confident, more sexy and more visibly queer. Clothing can have a way of empowering the wearer - and when said clothing is making an unabashedly queer statement to the world, whether they recognize it or not, it’s a form of embodying invincibility against all odds.įor example, you better bet your sexy ass that my silky green hanky and my bright red bandana aren’t simply for fashion. Ways to indicate to fellow queers that we see them and we are one of them. And thus, flagging has sort of fallen to the wayside.Īnd while I don’t want to bring back the days of queer people literally fearing for our lives ( though #45 is sadly bringing us there), I do want to bring back fashion statements that are solely ours. While our existence is still “othered” and persecuted in so many ways, we do have more ability to be freely ourselves in public. This tactic was especially employed in the old days (not so old days, it was really only like 30 years ago) when it wasn’t as safe to be outwardly queer. Flagging has long been a part of gay subculture - a way of subtly and safely saying “ I’m here and I’m queer” without having to out yourself to the straights.