Peacock feathers have become a symbol of homosexuality. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries men would wear peacock feathers to identify themselves to other homosexual men, and artists would paint the feathers into the décor in their artwork to subtly signal their sexuality.

Male peacocks are considerably more colourful than female peahens. As is the case with many animals, this has resulted in the collection and display of a disproportionate number of male specimens within museum collections.
 

For many human communities there are differences in fashion for men and women, and while in 21st century Britain female fashion is generally more flamboyant this has not always been the case.