Do Thumb Rings Signal Bisexuality for Women?

Question:
I've heard that thumb rings are a way for a bisexual women to signal to the rest of the bisexual community that she swings both ways. Is this true? Are thumb rings an invitation for other bisexual women?


Answer:
It depends on the groups you hang out with, but as a general rule, no. Maybe at one time it did, but so many people wear thumb rings nowadays, that most of the time, it just means that the person wearing them just likes to accessorize. You might go to a club or a city where an informal code has been established, where certain accessories or articles of clothing are used as signals to the other people who are there, but that will be specific to that place or occasion. 


The signals can change from place to place and time to time, too. Remember in the 80's when an earring in the left ear meant a guy was gay? That quickly became a thing of the past when every rock star and celebrity started to wear them and the general population quickly followed suit. Mullets used to be a pretty good signal for lesbians in the 80's, too, until Nascar came around and every Billy Bob and their mother was sporting the stylish do. Then we had to resort to the skinny braids in our otherwise short hair and an ear cuff to put it out there...who knows what happened to that secret signal, but we don't miss that particular style one bit!


For a long time, gays and lesbians had to resort to subtle clues in order to identify one another. It was a safe way for them to find partners without having to out themselves to potentially dangerous people. Many of us still like the feeling of inclusion it brings when we display things like a rainbow sticker or a certain pendant. Feeling like an outsider in so many other aspects of our lives, it is a comfort when someone "in the know" recognizes our affiliation. But this isn't uncommon- Masons have their rings, football teams have their jerseys, affluent women have their Coach bags...it's everywhere you look.


Most of us would gladly discard the cool club signals we've had to use through the years in exchange for basic acceptance and the ability to live openly without fear of harassment, violence, or dirty looks.