Polari, a secret language used by gay men in Britain from the 19th to the mid-20th century, has been seen as a language of resistance and resilience against societal oppression and discrimination.
Originally used by circus and fairground workers, Polari was later adopted by gay men as a way to communicate in public without fear of persecution. The language was a mixture of English, Italian, Romany, and slang terms, making it difficult for those outside the community to understand.
Polari served as a way for gay men to create a sense of community and belonging in a society that was largely hostile towards their identities. By creating their own language, they were able to subvert mainstream culture and establish their own subculture within a larger society that sought to marginalize and stigmatize them.
In addition to being a means of communication, Polari also served as a code for gay men to identify each other and signal their presence in a discreet manner. This was especially important in a time when being openly gay could result in imprisonment, loss of employment, and social ostracism.
Despite the challenges they faced, the users of Polari found ways to express themselves and assert their identities through the language. Polari allowed gay men to reclaim their agency and resist the oppressive forces that sought to silence and erase them.
In the 1960s and 70s, as attitudes towards homosexuality began to shift and the LGBTQ+ community started to gain more visibility and acceptance, the use of Polari began to decline. However, its legacy lives on as a symbol of resilience and defiance against oppressive forces.
Today, Polari is celebrated as a unique linguistic phenomenon that highlights the creativity and strength of marginalized communities. It serves as a reminder of the ways in which language can be used as a tool for resistance and survival in the face of adversity.
As we continue to strive for greater equality and acceptance for all members of the LGBTQ+ community, the history of Polari stands as a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of those who have fought for their right to exist and be heard. It is a reminder of the power of language to shape our identities and create spaces of belonging in a world that often seeks to limit and exclude us.