I agree that the friendship part doesn't have to be a specific gender, but can vary more by how close you are with that particular 'friend'. I have always been more comfortable around guys, and most of my girlfriends have hated me for it because there were times I'd go to hang with them, and bullshit the night away with their boyfriends because I knew about cars and all that! But being able to discuss those kinds of non-essential things, meaning topics that don't have a cause and effect on whatever is stressing me out-distractions, are always what I need. With girls friends, for me anyways, it's always about what's causing the stress or adding more by having to play catch-up or appologize for something that happened months ago...yadda yadda!
Thanks for the article lurkette
