There's this ongoing stereotype that a girl's best accessory is her gay best friend. They even made a popular movie about it in 2013. Magazines have featured GBFs as the hottest accessory and people have forced individuals out of the closet simply to say they have one. If we're basing our friendship off of the stereotype, then yes, I'd say I have a gay best friend.
But there's one thing I want you to know; you're not just a stereotype to me.
Before I met you, I was a lonely girl who was attempting to be something I'm not to keep and maintain friendships. In truth, I don't think I had many real friends before you. And when I ran into you at an ice cream social my first year in college, it truly intimidated me.
I came from a high school where there were no openly gay people. Your sexuality was straight and you pretty much had to be cis-gender, meaning your gender matches your biological sex. One time, a kid tried to break those "rules" and was completely ostracized for it, so you can understand how coming to college was the first time I was around an openly gay person who embraced themselves, and most importantly, were accepted for it.
Now, I look back and laugh at how nervous I must have seemed. You probably thought I was crazy, like an uncultured little girl who didn't have a clue what she was doing. You're probably not wrong. But somehow, we hit it off. You made me laugh and we loved the same music, movies and TV shows. I didn't think it was possible to make a friend so easily and so quickly.
The traits you bring out in me are traits I've been dying to explore within myself. I'm more confident. I don't let people try and put me in defining boxes. I judge people on their character, rather than demographic details that don't matter. I'm not afraid to rock an outfit that might cause some weird looks on campus. I'm able to wear rainbow proudly and to stand up for those facing oppression. I've become a person that I'm truly proud of and it's all because I met you.
The truth is, you're not a GBF and you never will be. You want to know why? Because you're sexuality has nothing to do with why I love you or why I spend my time with you. You're a beautiful person, inside and out. You're compassionate and understanding. You never judge or make anyone feel like they're not welcome. You've touched the lives of so many people and it has nothing to do with who you choose to love or what gender you choose to express.
You're my best friend and whether you're a letter in the never ending acronym for LGBT+ individuals or not, you always will be.
