Is this guy I'm friends with really gay?

I dated this guy and he turned out to be gay, and we eventually became like best friends. We talk about everything, but he has never once mentioned anyone he likes or even finds attractive. When I bring it up, he will say he doesn't really like anyone and but doesn't know if he will find the right person for him again. I only just realized that means a girl was the right person for him once. Whenever we talk he makes all these random ual jokes abut us, and I laugh, but its really weird. A few of his friends have told me they don't believe he is gay, and that he loves me still. This confuses me because I absolutely LOVE being his friend, and I don't want to like force him to be something he isn't because some of his friends think he is straight. I also really still love him, but I learned to suppress that a lot to where it isn't to bad anymore. Can someone please please PLEASE explain and help?