| My oh my, what is this, political correctness central? Perhaps people these days without gay friends are considered bigots? You know, diversity is always good and all that? I better get some "(Insert oppressed minority) friends" of my own, quick, before the PC police gets here. Hogwash.
Who really gives a shit what kinds of friends you have? And are you so cynical as to see "I have lots of gay friends" as a homophobic defense? I don't particularly like gays. I know lots of gays. I'm not close friends with any of them, at least I'm not aware of. But even if I do find out my best friend is a gay/lesbian, would I immediately change my view of the person? God no. I'm not that fickle. Heck, I'm living with a couple suspected lesbians right now this second! They're downstairs!
I can make friends with whomever I please, and none of it is for some ridiculous disbarring of my "bigotry". If the term gay friends does turn up in a debate, I'll say "Good for you! Here's a cookie!" Because frankly, I don't care. It proves nothing.
Having gay friends doesn't make you open-minded. Saying "I have lots of gay friends" makes you about as open-minded as if I would be a pseudo-Asian banana if I declared as a Chinese that "I have lots of white friends". | 
