I don't have much of an opinion on 'Brokeback Mountain' except it is trash. Years ago, there was a film, 'The Rounders', with Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda, about two cowboys (not shepards, as portrayed in this movie), also long-term male friends, but there was NEVER any question about mixing things up with each other. The interesting interaction was between the horse and the cowboy, and it had a great deal more to do with personality than was exhibited in 'Brokeback Mountain'.
'Brokeback' is a COYOTE movie (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics). Men in close quarters over extended periods of time do NOT automatically turn to homosexuality.
Well, if I want to see gay cowboys, I'll watch the 1950s movie, Lawless Breed...