Do you think this type of camaderie and male bonding is what the guys are trying to accomplish when they get naked, sit around a fire, and bang on bongos?

I have had many friendships with heterosexual men over the years that were completely platonic, but stopped just short of being truly emotionally connected. I think gay men experience a "best girlfriend" type bond with other gay men, but with straight guys, I think there's an innate fear of getting too close for fear of being labeled as gay...or perhaps that type of closeness might cause them to question their own sexuality, which is, in itself, uncomfortable. Who knows?

I do agree that men of all sexual proclivities would do well to form deep, emotional, loving relationships with other men that don't necessarily have to include sex.