Gloria Jean Watkins, or “bell hooks” as she is known, wrote an article called “Eating the Other” which discussed the commodification of otherness, but principally African American or black individuals. The author explains that white individuals’ desire for this “otherness” is based on the excitement of experiencing a group that is seen as more cultured, more experienced and more sensual. Essentially, white people would appropriate (but not fully appreciate) the exotic qualities of the other through ephemeral interactions, often times sexual encounters.
I wanted to look at this commodification from a different perspective and at a different “otherness” identity. As mentioned in a previous blog post, a growing trend in pop culture, especially in television and cinema, is the gay male best friend as a commodity of otherness. The gay best friend (most often white and male) is someone that is commoditized as being fashion conscious, cultured, sassy and the straight female counterpart. You see this appear in popular YouTube videos such as Sassy Gay Friend and television series such as Ugly Betty, Will & Grace, Glee, Girls, Sex and the City – the list is actually quite extensive. In each of these shows, the “gay best friend” character usually plays the supporting and helpful role through sassy dialogue and with fashionable attire. Does this sound familiar? These were the three main qualities that arose from interviewing a small sampling of friends in a previous post.
Now, the commoditization of otherness by having a gay best friend is clearly not via sexual relations. However, it is by using a gay best friend for its stereotypical qualities (sassiness, levity, drama and fashion) in television series that raises a red flag as “eating the other,” as bell hooks describes it. These are the characteristics that are universally portrayed in film and T.V. These are the attributes that are desired by the other characters on the shows and expected by the audience. Nevertheless, even with the commoditization of the gay best friend by creating a specific role in T.V. for gay males, I enjoy watching and laughing with these characters. It’s funny, relatable and usually painted in a positive light. Though it would be nice for the gay male to be the central figure without the need of a female double or stereotypical personality traits.
I would love comments on my blog posts! If you have a particular show you watch that features the “gay best friend” or breaks away from the typical mold, let me know! If I have already seen it, I’d enjoy thinking about the role of the gay character. If I have not yet seen it, this would be a great opportunity to expand my knowledge of the gay best friend in T.V.
The Gay Best Friend 