About Our Membership
The handkerchief code (also known as the hanky code, the bandana code, and flagging) is a color-coded system, employed usually among the gay male casual-sex seekers or BDSM practitioners in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe, to indicate preferred sexual fetishes, what kind of sex they are seeking, and whether they are a top/dominant or bottom/submissive. The hanky code was widely used in the 1970s by gay and bisexual men, and grew from there to include all genders and orientations.
Today, wearing color-coded handkerchiefs (bandanas) is the manner in which communication of desires and fetishes is achieved.
Wearing a handkerchief on the left side of the body typically indicates one is a “top” (one considered active in the practice of the fetish indicated by the color of the handkerchief).
Wearing it on the right side of the body would indicate one is a “bottom” (one considered passive in the practice of the fetish indicated by the color of the handkerchief).
This left-right reality is taken from the earlier practice of tops wearing their keys on the left belt loop and bottoms on the right to indicate being a member of the leather subculture. Bandanas might be worn in the front or back pocket, tied around the neck (with the knot positioned on either the left or right side); around the ankle (when wearing boots or when undressed); or on other parts of the body.
Membership Levels
There are two Membership levels:
Full Brother: Open only to Men of Color living within the Southeast region (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) with intention of active participation. You will receive voting rights, eligible for elective offices and a seat as a representative at formal business meetings. You must not be a full member of any other club of this type. Leasing of colors granted. Initiation and yearly fees apply. Photo and proof of age required.
Associate: Open to all regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identification, club affiliation or distance. Leasing of associate colors (small insignia) only granted. Yearly fees apply. In person or video interview required. Photo and proof of age required.
Pledge Line Status
Applications for our next Pledge Line are closed.
To submit an application for the following next Pledge Line, please speak with an ONYX Southeast brother at one of our events.