Ours is a society that celebrates sexuality. Feminism has removed the stigma against women who are sexually active, so that they are no longer considered sluts; instead, they are called empowered. Similarly, homosexuality and bisexuality are celebrated as natural, positive and healthy expressions of one's sexual preference. Gay pride is celebrated, and gay awareness is ever increasing. Other less mainstream groups are also beginning to find sexual empowerment. The Gray Panthers -- an activist group for elderly rights -- and disability rights advocates are making strides so senior citizens and people with various disabilities are able to express and enjoy a healthy sense of sexuality. It seems as though we are making great "progress."

There is one subset of individuals, however, who have yet to find such sexual liberation. For those of you out there, you know who you are. It's time we took a stand and let ourselves be heard. It is time for us to be proud of our sexuality. We need to come out of the closet.

I am a virgin and I am proud of this fact. I know society tells me it's unnatural, but I was born this way.

My confession is something that those who know me might have supposed, but never had the nerve to ask. It was something that I always knew about myself, but was afraid to admit for fear of being misunderstood.

I am not a virgin because I am especially unattractive, socially inept or biologically dysfunctional. I am a virgin because, quite frankly, I love myself, and I love the man I will one day call my husband, whomever he may be. I refuse to give any part of my body or myself away to any man but one, and that will be only after we have exchanged our vows. My body and my self are a precious gift that I am saving for Prince Charming.

Perhaps I am being extreme. But my purpose is not to promote my own personal code of morality. Instead, my purpose is to shatter some widely held misconceptions about virginity that have kept us virgins in the closet from the start of the sexual revolution.

Let's first make sure we're all talking about the same thing when we say virginity. I know for some people, virginity is simply a biological status based on penetration. In my mind, virginity encompasses so much more. It isn't allowing yourself to do "everything but ... " It isn't about seeing how far you can go without falling off the side of the fence. It's about not even attempting to walk on that fence out of respect for yourself and your future mate.

Contrary to popular belief, virginity is not a lack of sexuality; it is a very potent and deliberate form of sexual expression known as abstinence. Virgins don't have any less of a sex drive than our more "experienced" peers. We just choose to set our biological thermostats on a very low temperature - for the time being.

But don't I feel like I'm repressing myself? No. I doubt I will remain a virgin forever. But there's no rush. As a society, we are a people who worship instant gratification. If the urge is present - especially if it is something as natural as our sex drive - we consider it grotesque and unhealthy to stifle such a strong desire. Instead of thinking of it as stifling a drive, though, I just think of it as waiting. For those of you who have ever fasted, it's easier to understand. It's not that hunger doesn't exist, or that food is inherently bad, it's just that now is not the time to indulge.

Do these seemingly prudish morals keep me from experiencing healthy relationships with members of the opposite gender? No. In fact, they enhance my relationships; any relationship that I am forming with a potential life-mate will be based on friendship and mutual admiration - not on physical attraction.

Of course, there is a very healthy place for physical desire, but I guess I have just watched "Beauty and the Beast" one too many times. If I meet a man with a heart of gold, there is no way I will not be equally attracted to him physically as I am spiritually and emotionally.

Some people might worry that they need sexual experience and practice to impress their future life-mate. Personally, I can't think of anything more intimate than knowing that, as inexperienced as we might be, my husband and I will accept each other no matter how we "perform" on our wedding night. After all, we have a whole lifetime together to perfect the art. There's no rush.

I am comfortable with and proud of my sexuality. To all you other virgins out there, stand up and be counted. We're not asexual. Maybe pre-sexual is a better way to put it. There's no shame in that. To those of you who feel that virginity is anti-progressive or unhealthy, just think of all the emotional trauma that would be avoided if more couples decided to get to know each other, develop a loving relationship and commit to one another before jumping into bed.

And for my Prince Charming out there, wherever you may be, I just want you to know that I'm still waiting for you.