Ofcom rejects complaints about Loose Women ‘gay best friend’ segment
The broadcast regulator has rejected a complaint levelled at ITV chat show Loose Women, for a segment which asked whether “every woman should have a gay best friend”.
The TV segment aired late last year, with presenter Ruth Langsford quipping that gay men are the new “must-have accessory that every woman needs”.
On social media the show – which also featured Martine McCutcheon, Linda Robson and Janet Street-Porter, added: “SHOULD EVERY WOMAN HAVE A GAY BEST FRIEND?
“A new study has found that becoming friends with gay men may be a key part of women’s ‘mating strategies’ by making them less threatening to other women – and more appealing to straight men.
“Do you think every woman should have a male gay best friend? Why do you think a friendship between a woman and a gay man is so special?”
Ofcom rejected two complaints listed as ‘Sexual orientation discrimination/offence’ about the segment.
The post was roundly mocked, with one commenter joking: “I’d love a gay best friend to add to my collection. Obviously I already have ‘man human friend’ and ‘woman human friend’, but I’ve also got, and I don’t mean to show off, ‘black friend’ and ‘disabled friend’ and even a ‘foreign friend’ would you believe?!”
Another added: “I’m so glad I can go to the gay best friend store and purchase a gay man. I’d never be able to mate without one.”
One person said: “Gay or straight a friend is a friend! Their sexuality shouldn’t be relevant to a friendship, if they are a nice person then they become my friend, ain’t no hidden agendas to my friendships.”
