Polari: The Secret Language That Helped LGBTQ+ People Find Community and Connection

In the early to mid-20th century, LGBTQ+ individuals faced intense discrimination and persecution in society. This was especially true in the United Kingdom, where homosexuality was illegal until 1967. In order to navigate this hostile environment, many LGBTQ+ people turned to a secret language known as Polari.

Polari, also known as Parlyaree, is a form of slang that was used primarily by gay men and lesbians in Britain. It originated in the 19th century among circus performers, sailors, and criminals, but became most well-known in the 20th century as a way for LGBTQ+ individuals to communicate with one another without being detected by the wider society.

Polari was a rich and colorful language, with roots in Italian, Romani, Yiddish, and Cockney rhyming slang. It included clever code words and phrases for everything from sexual acts to insults to everyday objects. For example, “bona” meant good, “naff” meant bad, and “troll” referred to a heterosexual woman. Polari was a way for LGBTQ+ individuals to find a sense of community and connection in a world that ostracized them.

One of the key features of Polari was its ability to provide LGBTQ+ people with a sense of safety and solidarity. By using a secret language, individuals could identify one another as members of the same community, even in public spaces where it was dangerous to be openly gay. Polari helped LGBTQ+ people feel less isolated and more connected to one another, creating a sense of belonging in a world that frequently rejected them.

Polari was also a form of resistance against the oppressive norms of mainstream society. By creating their own language, LGBTQ+ individuals were able to assert their identity and defy the social conventions that sought to erase them. In this way, Polari was a powerful tool for survival and self-expression in a world that sought to silence and marginalize LGBTQ+ voices.

Despite the challenges and hardships faced by LGBTQ+ people in the past, Polari played a crucial role in helping individuals find community and connection. By offering a shared language and a sense of belonging, Polari allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to navigate a hostile world with greater strength and resilience. Today, Polari is celebrated as an important part of LGBTQ+ history, a symbol of resistance, and a reminder of the power of language to unite and empower marginalized communities.