Considering I spent the majority of my early twenties unable to banish the blush, these Shameless Hussies badges were asking for it. Fuelled by that **** you in your face dykeness that made me that shaved-head sass pot that I was, keeping the massage homegrown and unapologetic was the only way to do things back in 1992. Back then us queers had a badge for everything including, it appears, our favourite hobbies. We were what we were, on the streets or in the sheets and we were never going to be quiet about it. Proud of our sexuality, proud of our rage, proud of our tribe, proud of the Brighton lesbian nightlife we were creating, one Thursday night at the time. Fighting for equality by scaring the horses – be they the outraged till operator in my local Happy Shopper or the mounted officer determined to shut our Stop Clause 28 protests down. Button badges became like mini placards on our puffed-up queer chests and we were so proud of them. Slamming home a never-subtle message as we fought for our right to be who we wanted to be. Blushes and all.

Shameless Hussies badges. May 1992. All Xerox and pins, they were created courtesy of a community badge machine from Brighton’s Unemployment Centre.  Time to buy another I reckon? Does anyone fancy a badge?

Find out more about Shameless Hussies, Brighton’s first-ever lesbian house night via Queer Heritage South here