Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (orig. US) to show off, to act in an exhibitionist manner (and thus draw un-needed attention to oneself).

1931		D. Maurer ‘Carnival Cant’ in AS VI:5 329: (to) advertise, v. To attract undesirable attention by raising a rumpus in a public place.
1965		A. James America’s Homosexual Underground 40: Not bad, Junior [...] You ought to advertise a bit. It pays. Don’t cover everything up.
1972		B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 18: advertise 1. to dress in a sexually provocative manner. A gay maxim runs: ‘It pays to advertise!’.

2. (gay) to dress in a sexually provocative manner.

1972

B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular.

3. (camp gay) to pluck and paint one’s eybrows.

1972

B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 18: advertise [...] 2. (camp) to pluck and then paint the eyebrows.