I feel strongly about both the history and the subtlety of flagging — indicating openness or interest through nonverbal communication. There’s something raw about being approached knowing that some chemistry matches, that we both know what we’re after and can provide.
The Saint Foundation has a great article on the origins of colors in the 70s in (of course) New York and San Francisco. From queer stores and publications, colors were picked up by a businessman named Bob Damron in his Address Book. The Book was a palm sized listing of gay bars, bathhouses, and “cruisy areas” in cities from all 50 states; listed alongside this incredible guide were the Colors.
