THE ANALYSIS OF FEMALE FRIENDSHIPAND HOMOSEXUAL IDENTITY FORMATION IN KRISTEN ZIMMER’S NOVEL THE GRAVITY BETWEEN US

This thesis explores female friendship and the formation of homosexual identity
in the novel The Gravity Between Us. The study focuses on the main characters
Kendall and Payton, whose deep bond transitions from friendship to a romantic
relationship as they navigate their identities and societal expectations. The
research aims to: (1) identify the stages of homosexual identity formation as
depicted through the characters' experiences. (2) examine the conditions and
significance of female friendships in the novel. (3) investigate the potential for
close female friendships to evolve into homosexual woman relationships.
Utilizing the homosexual identity formation theory of Cass (1984) and the theory
by Raymond (1986) regarding conditions for female friendship, this study
provides a comprehensive analysis of the character‘s psychological and emotional
journeys throughout the story. The findings reveal there is a different identity
development from the two characters. Kendall experienced 6 stages in forming a
homosexual identity, while Payton experienced 5 stages. The second finding
shows that their female friendships are very close and mutually supportive. Then
the third finding shows that female friendships can develop into same-sex
romantic relationships.