fils
they/them
publication
the carabiner originally comes from the world of climbing. but a carabiner clipped to a belt loop is also used as a subtle symbol of identity, community, and queer culture. as this symbol spreads beyond queer communities, it loses its hidden function. these symbols also find their way onto the internet, among other things through memes. we must continue to innovate ways of recognizing one another through codes that are subtle enough to feel safe, yet meaningful enough to create connection.
this is a research between the visual language that’s being used online among queer people and traditional ways of flagging, such as carabiners.