Ten years ago, Robert Heasley was working as an associate professor of sociology at Ithaca College when he attended the Ithaca Men’s Fest. At this annual weekend retreat for men committed to ending sexism and homophobia he met Neil Wecker, and the two became close friends.

As their friendship developed, they discussed what it means to be a man and agreed that most men are so concerned with acting macho that it becomes difficult for them to form close, connected friendships. They also realized that this type of male bonding was often overlooked in the media.

Two years ago, the friends decided to create a photo exhibition exploring this taboo intimacy between male friends.

Heasley said he wanted to portray friendships that didn’t emphasize the macho side of being male.

“One of the messages that boys get growing up is that it’s not OK to let out emotions, so we tend to implode,” said Heasley, who left Ithaca College in 2000 and now teaches gender studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The exhibit, “Shifting Gears: Finding Intimacy in Men’s Friendships,” was a collaboration between Heasley, Wecker and local photographer Deborah Halpern. It is on display at the Clinton House Artspace through Nov 30.

“The project was started by affirming the values of our relationship and a need to see this putting out of beautiful images of men having [these kinds of] positive relationships,” said Wecker, who is still involved in the Ithaca Men’s Fest.

Heasley talked about the exhibit at a lecture titled “Breaking out of the Straight-Jacket of Masculinity” on Nov. 1 in Textor Hall. The presentation included photographs from the exhibit and a discussion of the nature of masculinity.

Heasley said men are taught to think that masculinity is about power.

“When we use the word ‘intimate,’ the first thing that comes to mind is sexuality,” Heasley said. “What it really means is about being deeply connected, being committed.”

Inviting attendees of the Ithaca Men’s Fest to pose, Heasley, Wecker and Halpern came up with a series of photographs depicting healthy and close male friendships.

Men, ranging from 20 to 60 plus, are shown comfortably touching, laughing, hugging and holding hands.

Heasley said that popular images of men tend to fall into stereotypes. One example is the strong, powerful man, such as the action hero or the jock, who must be aggressive to avoid being soft, Heasley said. Another is the funny male, who hides his emotional side behind a shield of laughter.

“It’s all about performance,” he said. “Masculinity means being hard all the time.”

Wecker said his friendship with Heasley is centered on an open, strong connection and an ability to be comfortable with physical affection.

“Girlfriends can always cuddle with girlfriends on the couch, but men can’t do that,” Wecker said. “We wanted to see some positive role models for men interested in this kind of close friendship.”

The exhibit has received positive reactions from viewers. Wecker said men and women have been equally enthusiastic.

“I’ve had women come up to me and say, ‘All my life I’ve been so glad to be a woman because of the kind of close friendships that females have with each other,’” he said.

William Pelto, associate dean of the School of Music, said he enjoyed seeing an exhibit of innovative ideas and photography.

“Robert and his colleagues are attempting to show that men can communicate with each other in ways that are not stereotypical, and I thought they presented this in a wonderful way,” Pelto said.

The experience for the artists has also been positive, Halpern said.

“To create that safe environment was amazing,” Halpern said. “Through the photographs, to be able to put a face to these concepts has been a real challenge and an incredible experience. And this is such an important issue.”

Heasley said he hopes the exhibit will bring men out of “the straightjacket of masculinity,” which prevents them from really knowing each other.

“We construct meaning around our sexuality in a distorted way,” he said. “Being male means letting go of being soft and being feminine.”

Heasley said he wants men to see the exhibit and start forming these kinds of close, connected friendships for themselves.

“I wanted to show men bonding in a way that was honest, loving and deeply connected,” he said.

“Shifting Gears: Finding Intimacy in Men’s Friendships” runs through Nov. 30 at the Clinton House Artspace, 116 N. Cayuga St.