Looking for a serious, adult discussion.

This is not me personally but I have multiple friends who are LGBT who started this discussion last night. I don’t consider myself LGBT but I’d classify myself as questioning.

Anyways. My friends A and E are dating as they have for a couple years. A is straight and about a year ago E came out as trans FTM. A has stayed by their side and still carried on the relationship as always. He still loves them. Our whole friend group is really accepting and all. But last night the discussion came up (after many beers) that A did not consider himself gay now that he was dating E as a man.

Everything was respectful, but I could tell E felt a little upset.

A said he loves E but he doesn’t feel attracted to men. He felt attracted to E as a person.

Some in the group said this was transphobic, and that he was being a transphobe if he continued to deny E was a man. A says he doesn’t disregard Es gender but still feels he is straight.

Overall it was only a passing moment of awkwardness during Mario party. I’m friends with both and was wondering if there’s any advice I can pass on to navigate.

Thanks.