President of the Jikook fan club makes his statement
Hobi's And What exhibition merch includes this bucket hat 🥹
You're safe with me 🧷
I guess when your leader's had a same sex partner (rumoured)
and your rapper-producer came out as bi/pan years ago (from his own mouth)
and two of your besties (and band mates) are co-stars in the most delicious gay love story (evidence abounds)
When all of that is true, I guess you must be a safe person to be around
Hobi really is that genuinely supportive ally who adores his friends no matter who they date.
If you didnt love him to the moon and back before, this will surely clinch it for you.
But... they've worn that before right?
Yes, they have worn safety pins in their stage fits and their concept photos, but this is significant because its the first time BTS official merch has had this symbolic element.
And this isn't a safety pin as just another decorative flourish in amongst chains, rings, pendants and grommets.
This is a plain black hat with a prominent pin as a feature.
And just in time for pride month... is it purely a coincidence? I think not.
But a safety pin could have lots of meanings...
Yes it could.
It's been an element of punk styling for decades too. (Punk is the archetypal anti-establishment movement and stands right alongside LGBTQIA+ culture). But the way it's used in punk culture is different. It's often worn as a piercing, or dozens of safety pins on an outfit.
You're unlikely to find a lone safety pin OR a bucket hat on a punk.
So no a safety pin isn't always a queer signal, but it's enough of a signal to be recognisable to most LGBTQIA+ people. And ultimately that's who it's worn for.
It's not a fashion statement, its a PSA.
They've worn it on stage, sure, but I'm really only interested when it's a personal choice. And we do see it off stage and when they're in their own clothes.
Yoongi, Namjoon, Jimin and JK with safety pin bucket hats 🏳️🌈
