"The word love may get thrown around a lot these days, but there's one group conspicuously not using the L-word: straight men when talking to each other. Being perceived as gay is so anathema to many straight dudes that they not only can't say I love you (except maybe as part of a semi-ironic I love you, man) but they have trouble hugging or even complimenting each other. Is it really so bad to be suspected of being gay? I think this is the real problem," writes Anna North. She adds: "Maybe if male homosexuality were truly destigmatized, then a dude could own up with pride to having a dear and close friend, because nobody would even care if they were fucking. But we're a long way from that, unfortunately, and many male-male friendships have to make do with a limited repertoire of jokes, disses, and side-hugs..." Read More