I Don’t Have Male Friends and It’s Important to Understand Why

Growing up different in a world that expects you to fit a mold leaves marks you can’t always see — but you can feel them.

I don’t have male friends. I haven’t for the longest time.

Maybe a handful of times throughout my life I hung out with a guy I considered a friend, but for the most part, the guys in my life have been the bullies.

And it wasn’t just in the world around me, which had its share. Most of the bullying happened inside the walls of my own home.

Growing up, my br…