Gatekeeping and Beginning

Hi, I just wanted to get some opinions on what I've experienced. I feel like growing up I unintentionally listened to a lot of punk music and felt strongly about the ideas around it but never really put a name to it.

I am 20 and maybe a couple years ago I started actually thinking about punk culture more and found that I feel a strong connection to the music and ideas. I listened to some more music, talked to someone in my city from the scene in Montréal (around the 80's I think) and then I went to see D.O.A when they came to my city and its just blew me away. I kept trying to go to as many local punk bands as I could in my city.

I had this friend who would always say that I didn't really look punk or fit the exact mold of what he expected and that connecting with it so much was trying way too hard.

I have just been so confused because why would it make me a poser to connect with the music and community? I don't feel so strongly about it because of some fake aesthetic it just feels like it makes sense to me. Is it wrong to be interested in learning more and trying to find punk spaces to exist in? I just feel like I belong in the community is that bad?? Like is it not punk to be so passionate about finding myself and other people like me?

I think it's made me feel like a fake but how would I know if I was faking it? Someone please be honest with me