“Fag hags are the backbone of the gay community, without us you’re nothing. We went to the prom with you, we are still there by your side at the gay bars.”– Margaret Cho

Are you a girl who likes boys who like boys? Do you have a Will to your Grace or do you crave the relationship Carrie has with Standford on Sex and the City? Do you watch self-proclaimed “fag-hag” Margaret Cho and Kathy Griffin with her “circle of gays” and completely connect? Then this book is for you!

Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys is a fantastic collection of short stories celebrating the most important relationship in a savvy straight girl’s life – her gay best friend. Edited by best friends Melissa De La Cruz and Tom Dolby, the book features hilarious and touching essays broken into five sections: Gays and Gals; Close Confidants; A Fine Romance; Growing Up, Coming Out; and Father and Sons, Mothers and Daughters.

One of my favorite stories is the first essay in the book by Karen Roninovitz (co-author of The Fashionista Files) called “Shop Girls” about her relationship with gay men and her wedding where instead of having bridesmaids she had bridesgays. It’s the first funny and truthful stories of many many more.

I loved this book because I could completely relate. I had never heard of the phrase fag hag until my freshman year of college when one of my new guy friends introduced me to Margaret Cho. I think it was a test. He turned on “You’re The One That I Want” and as soon as I started hysterically laughing and proclaimed that I too went to prom with one of my gay best friends and was actually heading to a gay club that night with some of my new friends, I was in. We’ve been friends ever since. It wasn’t the start of my fag hag days (those started long before – I’m pretty sure the first boy I kissed when I was 5-years-old ended up being gay), but it was the start of having a name for it (although some of my female friends use the term gal pal).

I’ve always known my relationships with my gay male friends have been important, but this book has really helped me realize just how wonderful they are. I love my girlfriends and straight male friends, but there’s something about having a gay friend that’s really special and I wouldn’t be the same girl without it.