How everyone has reacted to this situation differently has been interesting. You reached out and did not get replies, I can understand why you may feel confused or hurt by this.

I want to pick up on something you wrote, forgive me if I have picked this up wrong but you wrote these friends are men I think?

I have to be honest and declare my own bias here, I think for close friendships men/women ones can be fraught with difficulties. I did not used to think that way but experience lead me to believe that closer friendships are less problematic within the same gender. Personally I am pursuing more close relationships with other women these days and it is working out better for me. I am finding they are there for me and there is no ulterior motive.