I wanted to share my experience with bromance as a straight guy, and how society's views on male friendship are really twisted, especially in America.

Growing up, I always felt like there was this stigma attached to straight guys forming meaningful connections with other dudes. In high school, my closest friend and I developed what I would call my definition of a "bromance." It was the kind of friendship where we didn’t have to hold back, and we could talk about anything without judgment. You know how some friendships feel shallow, like there are invisible boundaries you don’t cross? Ours didn’t have those walls.

We were super comfortable around each other. Honestly, we even chilled in the nude sometimes—nothing sexual about it. There was no awkwardness or shame. We trusted each other so much that if one of us had something private going on, like a hemorrhoid (yeah, not glamorous, but real talk), we would actually examine it for each other. We’d even help each other trim our pubes if needed. It was purely about helping a friend out, with zero sexual undertones.

The thing is, society has conditioned us to believe that any sort of physical closeness between men must have some hidden sexual meaning. That’s the toxic culture we live in. But I truly believe that as men, we crave bonding with other men in a way that women can’t fulfill. I’m not saying women aren’t amazing companions—they absolutely are—but there’s a different level of understanding and connection that comes from a bromance. It’s primal, and it’s natural.

Unfortunately, American culture tends to put a lot of shame on male closeness. There’s this immediate assumption that if you’re too close to another guy, it’s “gay.” But bromance has nothing to do with that. I’m straight, and my bro was too, but we had a connection that went beyond what society thinks men should be allowed to have.

I think it’s time to break down that stigma. Bromances should be celebrated, not shamed. Because at the end of the day, we all need someone we can trust, rely on, and bond with—without society’s baggage hanging over us