Asking Eric: I excluded my creepy friend from a debate watch party

Dear Eric: I frequently have gatherings at my house, most recently debate-watch parties. Close friends gather, have cocktails, and eat snacks. This time, I decided to go for the cozy vibe and have a debate-watch pajama party. I just invited ladies.

Then a guy I dearly love asked if he could come. All the girls said they would be fine with this because he is a sweetheart and not at all likely to be lecherous and inappropriate with ladies in pjs.

Then, I got a text from another guy friend asking if I was doing anything for the debate and I told him no. Although I love him like a cousin, he can be a bit creepy, like he makes sexual comments out of the blue for no reason.

Now I feel guilty about lying. Am I a terrible person?

—Debating Guest List

Dear Debating: I don’t need a Quinnipiac poll to tell you that you are not terrible. You have the right to curate a guest list in any way you see fit. This especially applies to people who make you or your guests uncomfortable with inappropriate behavior. And you didn’t owe your friend the truth if you didn’t feel up to a long conversation about it.

That said, as is ideally the case with any candidate running for office, you can hold your friend accountable. If you don’t like the comments he makes, you can call it out. Hopefully, he’ll understand and change. It’s healthy for your friendship and good for the group. Plus, his response will reflect his true character.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)