He's certainly the kind of guy to think schizophrenia is a cool thing to have, so I don't blame people for thinking that.
But uh, my wife is schizophrenic and I definitely see some telltale signs. The "out of nowhere" responses to sickos, the unwarranted "I'm not gay" rants, and other various loops make me think he may be responding to audial hallucinations.
The "zoning out" also happens to my wife when she hallucinates heavily because her medicine is not working for whatever reason, typically due to intense stress or... get this, alcohol use. Alcohol and drug use seriously fucks with the medicine, if he takes it at all.
First time I heard him mention he was schizophrenic, it all clicked.