Like A Virgin

For the longest time, I thought being a virgin was a bad thing. Something to be ashamed of. You're labelled as a prude or stuck up. But you can't win because if you're not a virgin, you're a slut or a whore. Why is there a double standard? Men who decide to wait aren't labelled for their choice, nor are they slut shamed for deciding to have sex.
If you're someone who hasn't had sex, or if you have, I feel you should be free of judgement for making those decisions. And free of judgement if you had no say in the matter. Everyone that makes a decision based on their body shouldn't be reprimanded, criticized, ostracized, or shamed. It's YOUR body. Therefore, it's YOUR decision. Don't let people's opinions dictate your actions. That goes for both males and females. If you were forced into something, you have my deepest sympathy. There is healing, you just have to find what helps you move forward. But this post isn't solely for those who have been victims in rape cases. It's for anyone who is, or has been, a virgin.
Pressure is one of the ways significant others, one night stands, and the boy next door types try to lure girls into sleeping with them. Because you've been together for x-amount of time, you should feel comfortable enough and love the person enough to have sex with them. Getting that home run is what they're worried about. Honey, gracing them with your divine presence is home run enough. Guys, don't think I'm blaming all of this pressuring on you; girls are guilty of it too. Just because society has labeled you as sex-crazy maniacs doesn't mean you have to sleep with someone. You have the power to just say no.
Saying no can be difficult, especially in those one night stand circumstances. You've already gone home with them/brought them home, and both of you are fully expecting to take things all the way. But if at any time you feel uncomfortable, or want things to stop, speak up. It doesn't matter if the act is happening, say you don't want to continue. Both of you could have had more than your fair share of drinks that night, so technically, neither of you are coherent enough to be having sex at all. For it to be consensual sex, both parties need to be coherent and able to make the decision for themselves.
I keep saying "your body your choice" in this post because I cannot stress the power, importance, and strength of those words. Even your peers are going to try and convince you to either have sex, or stay celibate. But if you don't want to make commitments like that, then don't! You are the only person allowed to dictate your actions, no one else. No matter how long you've dated them, how long you've been friends, or how much you think they know about sex. Everyone has been a virgin at some point in their lives, don't think that the person trying to convince you that sex is amazing hasn't once been in your shoes.
If your choice is to stay a virgin, then that is your choice. Don't slut shame others for not making the same choice as you. The beauty of being human is that we have free will. Controlling someone else and their decision making does nothing but start wars. Look at Hitler and what happened with WWII.
Just remember, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, makes their own decisions, and has to go through life (sometimes making mistakes) in order to grow. Leave them alone to make their own choices. Would you want someone forcing you to do their bidding? I sure wouldn't. Be free you beautiful butterflies you.

Live long and prosper.