For straight men, their best and only friend is usually the girlfriend or wife after mid-20s and up since most guys only discuss things like sports vs actually having a real conversation about things that matter.

Or if lucky, they may have a close female friend who they can talk to like me, but then I end up being their unpaid therapist.

It shouldn’t be that difficult for straight men to bond beyond watching sports and drinking but talking about feelings and sharing life stuff. Sensitive, artsy men do and so do gay men.