Throughout history, LGBTQ+ communities have often developed their own unique ways of communicating and connecting with one another. One such example is Polari, a secret language that was used by gay men and other members of the LGBTQ+ community in Britain during the mid-20th century.

Polari was a form of slang that originated in the British gay subculture, particularly among drag queens, cross-dressers, and other marginalized groups. It was influenced by a variety of sources, including Romani, Italian, Cockney rhyming slang, and underworld slang, as well as the coded language used by sailors and criminals.

One of the key features of Polari was its ability to disguise the true meaning of words, allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to communicate with each other in public spaces without fear of persecution or discrimination. For example, the word “bona” meant good, “vada” meant to see, and “palone” meant woman.

Polari was not only a means of communication, but also a way for LGBTQ+ individuals to create a sense of community and solidarity. By using Polari, members of the marginalized community could identify themselves to one another and create a sense of belonging in a society that often ostracized them.

Polari also served as a form of resistance against the oppressive attitudes and laws that criminalized homosexuality in Britain at the time. By creating their own language, LGBTQ+ individuals were able to assert their identity and challenge mainstream norms and conventions.

While Polari fell out of use in the 1960s and 1970s as LGBTQ+ rights movements gained momentum and attitudes towards homosexuality began to shift, its legacy lives on in modern queer culture. Many LGBTQ+ individuals today still use elements of Polari in their everyday conversations, and the language has been celebrated and preserved in various artistic forms, including literature, film, and music.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Polari as a cultural and historical artifact, with scholars and activists working to document and preserve this important part of LGBTQ+ history. By studying and celebrating Polari, we can gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ+ communities throughout history, and honor the resilience and creativity of those who have used language as a tool of resistance and empowerment.