First Person: "To have sex, I'd have to tell someone my status and risk rejection or, even worse, humiliation."

From time to time, we run a First Person culled from our comments section. One of our most popular threads is older virgins, and this post in particular has inspired a lot of discussion. Please send us an email if you'd like to tell your story.

I'm an older (female) virgin. I find it to be terribly embarrassing and I cringe at the idea of anyone knowing. I've educated myself about sex (the best I can without actually having sex) so I don't look like an ass when my friends are having conversations about their latest conquests. I'm pretty sure they all know though, but so far they've been kind enough not to bring it up.

I'm not shy. I get compliments on my looks and I get approached by men. I would like to have sex. Now, yesterday. In order for that to happen though, I'd have to tell someone my status and risk rejection or, even worse, humiliation. Unfortunately, it's difficult to know how to proceed when a man approaches you if you've had no experience with relationships. It's worsened when we live in a age where virginity is equivalent to leprosy. I realise that's an extreme statement, but take a poll of people who've told friends they're virgins and see if you see similarities in the responses.

I met a guy about two years ago who I really liked and I felt the attraction was mutual. Then, during one conversation he made fun of a woman he knew who was very interested in him. He thought she was weird for being in the V-Club. She was a great deal younger than I was at the time. I figured if he thought she was strange, there was no way I was saying anything.

I've made some peace with things as they are. I feel like I have no other choice.