though i agree with most of the comments about darren thinking of his lovers as 'friends,' i also think he probably uses that word (early on before he came out) so as not to distinguish between male or female. you'll notice that he rarely ever uses female pronouns. i don't think he wanted to use the word 'she' or 'her' because then he would be lying about who he is, but he couldn't use 'he' or 'him' because he hadn't come out yet.
though i agree with most of the comments about darren thinking of his lovers as 'friends,' i also think he probably uses that word (early on before he came out) so as not to distinguish between male or female. you'll notice that he rarely ever uses female pronouns. i don't think he wanted to use the word 'she' or 'her' because then he would be lying about who he is, but he couldn't use 'he' or 'him' because he hadn't come out yet.