How come women can call their friends, "girlfriends" but men can't call their friends "boyfriends"?

Question

I'll hear women say, "My girlfriends and I went shopping." And that's ok, there's no lesbian connotation. However, if a man says, "My boyfriends and I went to look at power tools," then that sounds weird. Why?

Answer 1

they can. they don't because men are generally homophobes and are afraid of being categorized in the "gay" group.

Answer 2

It's cuz girls are girlie and say things like that but when a guy says it , its just straight up wrong!

Answer 3

you call them guyfriends same thing