I Like Boys

Category
Additional Images
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Text on Button I LIKE BOYS
Image Description

White background with blue text on top and red text underneath. 

Back Style
The Shape
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Year / Decade Made
Additional Information

The phrase “I LIKE BOYS” became a bold, recognizable slogan during the 1970s and 1980s, a period when feminist activism and LGBTQ+ visibility grew stronger in Western society. This type of button served both as a playful and political statement, depending on who wore it and in what context. Its simple design — featuring red and blue block letters on a white background — reflected the direct, unapologetic style common in activist and self-expression pins of that era. These buttons were frequently seen on college campuses, within feminist groups, at pride marches, and among punk and music subcultures, where they challenged gender norms and conveyed personal identity. Some versions were made as playful or flirtatious fashion accessories, while others carried more profound messages of solidarity and self-acceptance. This message shows how a brief, straightforward phrase can convey empowerment, humor, and resistance simultaneously.

Sources

Picclick. (n.d.). Vintage 1970’s LGBT “I Like Boys” Pin back Button / pride 4”. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://picclick.com/Vintage-1970s-LGBT-I-Like-Boys-Pin-back-146596052044.html 

National Museum of American History. (n.d.). LGBTQ+ History. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/topics/lgbtq-history  

Catalog ID IB0038