1069 - Find him in a crowd / Exclusive accessories for single gay men

Breaking the unspoken barrier in gay dating / Accessories created for single gay men / 1069 - Find him in a crowd Exclusive accessories for single gay men, letting those in the know recognize each other. In the latter half of 2023, I attended several social events and realized there's a subtle hesitancy in how gay men connect. During initial meetings, asking about roles (in more formal settings) feels taboo, becoming an unwritten rule beyond bars or dating apps. Beyond organized events, why can't I be 99% sure if someone on the street is gay, like straight men might approach someone? If there were a clear, discernible marker, wouldn't it be easier to confirm someone's identity? This echoes a recent episode of the popular Taiwanese reality show "Boys Like Boys," which explored gay roles. For many, this is tied to their past self-identity journeys. While individual experiences vary, societal norms in Asia, influenced by upbringing and personal history, often create a sense of privacy around these aspects. What if we could reframe this unspoken ambiguity, perhaps easing some of the internal pressure? I've been pondering what truly represents gay men. Is it the rainbow? While iconic, it feels too broad, encompassing the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum, not exclusively gay men. This led me to the number 1069. Upon joining various gay online communities, this number often appears as a required input, making it feel like a shared language and a deeply rooted cultural symbol for Asian gay men. I then wondered, what if there was a wearable symbol? Even walking down the street, another gay man who understands might notice it. It's similar to spotting a rainbow ribbon on someone's bag – you'd recognize their support for LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Thus, I transformed the number 1069 into an accessory. I envisioned it as a stylish adornment, where the digits '1' and '0' could subtly represent gay roles. This inspired two distinct styles for the 1069 accessory, allowing wearers to express themselves without explicit introduction, while also enabling others to immediately recognize their identity and indirectly convey roles and preferences through the accessory's subtle details, thereby easing potential social awkwardness. I sincerely hope to continue creating pieces like these, accessories imbued with gay cultural significance. While I'm unsure of the exact impact, I'm committed to doing my best. This artistic creation stems from my six months of observing and engaging in gay social circles. I'm sharing it with you all. Ig:Shine_2022_05