"Gay" Best Friend

My supposedly "gay" best friend, said that, they're gay because gay people are funny. Of course, I thought that was fucking stupid so I asked if he has any interest in guys. He said he doesn't want to date any guys, but do want male friends, and I'm just stuck being confused. I don't want to lose our friendship by saying he's being rude, because he gets real defensive whenever I say shit like that, so I don't know what to do, help??