Yes. It's just another flavour of "some of my best friends are (insert name of minority group here,,) people.
Some of us don't think it's worth mentioning.
As for saving it, I was going to let it go until I read your post accusing others of virtue signalling, whereupon I was moved to mention it.
It is, in fact, in my opinion, the worst sort of virtue signalling, because being mates with Mo is only regarded as virtuous because it in some way is unusual or unlikely.
As for the bit about your gay friends, I have no idea what point you're trying to make. I don't think being friends with people would ever be construed as aiding and abetting, but maybe I'm wrong.