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.