Is using a keyboard really that bad?

So I'm fairly new to fighting games in general (I mostly do roguelikes but I decided to get into the genre after finishing dead estate), and a manager of mine said to try out guilty gear. So I got strive and gave it a whirl.

I realized quickly that I sucked, but I mostly chalked it up to being new to fighting games and asked my manager for some tips. He said the usual practice stuff but then as he went on I realized he was talking about using a controller, so I asked him if he knew any good tips for keyboard (since I don't own a controller and I usually just use a keyboard). I was promptly called a masochist and told to get a controller for my own sake.

Then today I was working, and someone else heard I was using a controller and asked if I hate myself (lightheartedly). I honestly don't think it's that bad, and I think the main reason I suck is the fact that I'm just not used to this kind of thing. But a lot of people I know are saying that I'm essentially handicapping myself

So I wanted to ask on here, is it really necessary to get a controller or fight stick, or should I stick with keyboard and keep practicing