surprised face

There’s a new batch of emoji on the way, so let’s rank the 8 gayest future icons

Source: Emojipedia

Apparently July 17 is “World Emoji Day” and, as an early present, we’ve been given a look at the new batch of proposed additions that, frankly, has us at a loss for words. Perhaps this will suffice: 😱😲🥰😭😵

As has become tradition, Emojipedia—the official emoji reference website—has provided a first glimpse at the 31 new digital icons set to be introduced to iOS and Android within the next year. While there’s nothing especially shocking among this typically eclectic group of faces, foods, critters, and symbols, it’s still got the internet abuzz as we mentally prepare ourselves for the way we text to change forever.

Are we being hyperbolic? Yes, definitely. But take a look at the new offerings for yourself and you be the judge:

Okay, so it really is a pretty staid bunch. But upon closer inspection, a handful of these emoji are giving us some major queer vibes, and that’s something worth celebrating. Don’t believe us? Well then join us as we gleefully over-analyze and willingly misinterpret this batch of future icons to bring you our ranking of the eight gayest new emoji.

8. The Shaking Face

Source: Emojipedia

Dubbed the “Shaking Face,” we imagine this emoji is intended to capture the feeling of someone furiously shaking their head “no” in disagreement, which, okay sure, we guess there’s a time and a place for such an emphatic negative. But what it’s actually giving is someone deep under the influence—of alcohol, perhaps something else—and we can’t imagine it won’t be employed by texters who are feeling some type of way. If you’ve been to a late-night queer warehouse party, you’ve seen someone who looks just like this.

7. The Wing

Source: Emojipedia

This one’s a bit harder to put into words, but we’re definitely getting Big Queer Energy from this wing emoji. After all, it’s clearly not the appendage of just any bird—we’re side-eyeing you, pigeons—but something majestic, something grand, something gay. It’s not a stretch to imagine a pair of these attached to some fabulous, flying Pegasus, or perhaps even a strapping, muscled, mythical angel. No? Just us?

6. The Goose

Source: Emojipedia

Speaking of winged creatures, get a load of this gorgeous girl—she’s serving goose feather down!

5. The Wireless

Source: Emojipedia

Okay, at first this one was triggering because it looks a bit like the seating chart at a concert venue, which reminded us of the time we sat on Ticketmaster for hours trying to get Lady Gaga tickets. But! It’s actually meant to represent wireless network connection—at full bars, no less—and there’s nothing more empowering than having crystal-clear, high-speed access to the internet.

4. The Hyacinth

Source: Emojipedia

Plant gays, rejoice! It’s such a pretty flower—you can’t tell us that’s not queer! Bonus points because it’s the namesake of Keeping Up Appearances‘ Hyacinth Bucket, the catty, hilarious British TV character (played by Patricia Routledge) who can read like no other and deserves to be deified as an eternal gay icon.

3. The Folding Hand Fan

Source: Emojipedia

The folding hand fan—colloquially called the “clack fan” in modern parlance—has a long, complicated, and ultimately nebulous history in queer culture, and though it’s been appropriated and commodified thousands of times over, it’s still an important prop to the art of ballroom and drag. We’re excited to see it here, and we imagine there are plenty of queens who will get a lot of mileage out of this one any time they want to *clack* make a point.

2. The Hearts

Source: Emojipedia

According to Emojipedia, the plain “Pink Heart” has been highly requested and long-awaited, for whatever reason. (Seriously, what was wrong with her? 💖) And, on its own, we don’t know—it’s kind of boring, right? But notably, they’ve also introduced a thrilling newcomer known as the Light Blue Heart, which, when combined with Pink Heart and that old standby the White Heart, gives us the three colors of Trans Pride. We love to see it.

1. The Ginger

Source: Emojipedia

Oh, honey, Miss Ginger? The gag of the season. Just look at the way that gnarled root owns her curves, showing us all how its done. Who knew one simple emoji could make us feel this way? She’s got a point, she’s an icon, she is a legend, and she is the moment. Now, come on, now.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated