Why Every Girl Needs a G.B.F: Discourse Analysis of Straight Female/Gay Male Relationships

In today's social world, heterosexuality, white privilege, patriarchy and upper-class distinctions are just a few examples of what dominate as “normal” identity categories. Despite this, visibility of marginalized groups are becoming more and more apparent, particularly for those who identity as gay. The gay rights movement has achieved a degree of social justice for many gay individuals who can now marry and have children, hold high status employment positions, receive the same health care and education as heterosexuals, and has assisted in the increasing popularity in of gay individuals in the mainstream media. In fact, being gay in 2013 can arguably be seen as “trendy”; many celebrities actively endorse gay rights, many “out” celebrities receive massive publicity, and gay characters in the media are generally presented as fashionable, funny, quirky, entertaining, chic, cultured, fabulous, and above all, women's best friend. Though this popularity can be seen as a huge step forward towards gay tolerance and acceptance, it can also commodify the gay man, and perpetuate stereotypes surrounding gay men and straight women. This paper aims to explore the phenomena of the “GBF” or, the Gay Best Friend, and the discourses that surround the heterosexual female/homosexual male relationship as presented in women's magazines and in the reality TV shows 1 Girl 5 Gays, and Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys. My data analysis will look at how gay males and straight females are constructed in the media, how the gay male/straight female friendship is constructed in the media, what discourses surround the gay male/straight female friendship, and to what extent mediated depictions of gay male/straight female friendships perpetuate heterosexuality. My analysis will be greatly informed by my review of the literature and by queer theory and feminist theory