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Every girl needs a gay best friend — or at least that’s what the movies tell us. These guys are typically the sweet, sensitive boys next door who offer guidance and sass to our female protagonists, and they never want to have sex with them. But that’s OK, because they have plenty of other things to offer: companionship, jokes, sometimes even fathering abilities. Here are ten of the best gay best friends to appear on film.

Sammy Gray (Steve Zahn), 'Reality Bites'

Ben Stiller’s Gen-X romantic comedy features a love triangle in which Winona Ryder has to choose between Stiller and Ethan Hawke. Too bad Sammy is gay, because he really is the best guy in the movie. Alas, Sammy struggles with coming out to his parents (with the help of a role play scenario with his best friend Vickie, played by Janeane Garofalo), and doesn’t get to offer much else except for vague commentary about dating during the AIDS crisis. [Where to stream Reality Bites]

Christian Stovitz (Justin Walker), 'Clueless'

Most gay best friends are, at some point, a romantic interest — a platonic friendship develops when one realizes her gay best friend isn’t particularly into her (but he’s still fun to shop with). In this teen comedy classic, Cher Horowitz throws herself at the dashing Christian until she realizes he’s more interested in watching Spartacus than watching her. [Where to stream Clueless]

Brandon (Dan Byrd), 'Easy A'

When Olive’s friend Brandon reveals he’s being bullied for being gay, she takes action by telling everyone in school they had sex together. But when his reputation is saved, Olive’s is ruined — at least, until more guys come to ask Olive to do the same thing. This teen comedy inspired by The Scarlet Letter features Emma Stone in one of her funniest roles. [Where to stream Easy A]

Michael Flores (Robin de Jesús), 'Camp'

If you’re a teenage girl at theater camp, you’re going to have a lot of gay best friends. And if there’s one straight boy at camp, odds are you and your best friend are going to have some awkward situations when you realize you’re both falling for him. In this darling musical comedy, Michael and Ellen’s friendship is tested when the hunky Vlad shakes things up at their summer retreat. [Where to stream Camp]

George Hanson (Paul Rudd), 'The Object of My Affection'

George is the perfect gay best friend: charming, handsome, a good dancer. He also knows when to step in when his friend Nina’s finds herself suddenly single and suddenly pregnant. Although it’s not his baby, he agrees to raise it with her — until soon Nina’s affections for George shift from platonic to romantic. [Where to stream The Object of My Affection]

Matt (Matthew Wilkas), 'Gayby'

In this second comedy about a straight girl and a gay guy having a baby together, long-time friends Matt and Jenn decide to go it the old fashioned way while somehow keeping their friendship intact. Jonathan Lisecki’s warm indie comedy is a truly hilarious look at friendship and the extents people go to in order to create a family. [Where to stream Gayby]

Damien (Daniel Franzese), 'Mean Girls'

He may be “too gay to function” according to his best friend, Janis Ian (not the singer-songwriter, sadly), but Damien can be counted upon to pull a Valentine’s Day scheme (none for you, Gretchen Wieners) or a soulful rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” [Where to stream Mean Girls]

George Downes (Rupert Everett), 'My Best Friend's Wedding'

When Julianne’s best friend Michael announces his sudden engagement, it’s up to her other best friend — the gay one — George to step in and bring her back to her senses. Sadly, he doesn’t quite get there quick enough in order to keep her from making an embarrassing move to break off Michael’s engagement. But hey, he does get a Dionne Warwick sing-a-long started, which isn’t half bad. [Where to stream My Best Friend’s Wedding]

Patrick (Ezra Miller), 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

When you’re a quiet, sullen teenager who struggles to fit in, you’re gonna need the kind of outgoing, outspoken friend who can break you out of your shell. Charlie finds that friend in Patrick, a Rocky Horror-loving, artistic senior who helps Charlie bring out his personality and find his true self. [Where to stream The Perks of Being a Wallflower]

Tanner Daniels (Michael J. Willett), 'G.B.F.'

g-b-f — Photo: Vertical Entertainment; Courtesy Everett Collection

When Tanner is outed as gay, social warfare erupts among his high school’s most popular girls who recognize the status-building cache that comes with having a G.B.F. — or a Gay Best Friend. It also creates a rift between Tanner and his best friend, Brent, who was gunning to be the school’s first gay student to rise the social ladder. Darren Stein’s smart and charming teen satire pokes fun at the gay best friend trope while also showing a lot of heart. [Where to stream G.B.F.]

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