Some celibates will date and some won't. It depends on what kind of celibacy you practise. If you want to find that special someone then I think you should not deny yourself the means to obtain him. Of course, it would be easier to practise celibacy not putting yourself in temptation's way, so to speak. You will have to have your own rules with regard to dating and what you will and will not allow, and find the discipline to resist temptation. Prayer, or depending on God's help, is vital in this regard. It's probably best to tell the guy fairly early on in the relationship that you have decided to be celibate and that you are serious about it. You must know what sort of celibacy you practise. In other words, is it the kind that will or will not allow kissing or holding hands etc. Of course, it's undestood that intercourse is off the menu. You need to know so that you have answers to queries from the guy (be prepared). He also can google around and find that there are many celebrities, for instance, who have embraced celibacy. If he's ok with it and understands, proceed; if not; then you've got to find a guy on the same page. If he's a little confused you can try and show him the light, and see if he's prepared to accept or not.

Good morning! Thank you so so much for your response. I have let men know that I am celibate right off the gate and to my avail most guys steer clear away from me. To me it just let's me know that im doing the right things and standing my ground.

Hi, you're very welcome! : ) Indeed, I think they showed their worth.

Absolutely they did! and I thank God for it! I really appreciate your your feed back,

you're welcome : ) Out of curiosity: How do your female/ male friends feel about your decision to be celibate? Have any of them joined you in celibacy?

Is there a demographic group in our hyper-sexual culture where celibacy is widely accepted? I've been celibate for around a decade and still don't feel like many people understand or even want to understand.

But taking sex out of the equation doesn't diminish emotional needs. Stay all by my lonesome? I even have the skills to make that proposition tempting, but I've learned the hard way that homo sapiens are a gregarious species, by nature. People need people, whether I like it or not. Even me. . . Damn!!!

I'm deliberately clueless on dating protocols, but. . . It seems to me that the simplicity of celibacy opens more emotional doors than it closes.

There is talk of the 'new celibacy' so we should hear more about it in the coming years. I have seen a documentary and have noticed phenomenon of celebrity celibacy. Celibacy is going to be most widely accepted or understood in religious circles; then possibily among the intellectual elite.

Yes, homo sapiens is gregarious by nature; there are a tiny few who aren't, who prefer their solitude.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/11/american-hermit-caught-27-years

Does celibacy open more emotional doors? I dunno.

possibily !

Oh Geez Robotnik I am sorry for responding so late! My friends think i'm nuts! or they would say things like you're crazy and such. The men are worse! lol

arfie, I would love for you to elaborate more.... :)

Thanks for your reply : )

No No thank you. I needed a support group and I found it :)

I am also a celibate Black woman living in NY! In fact, I am a 44 year old virgin. Sex acts do not feel good to me and I don't have a libido. Society tells me there is something wrong with me, but I have to be true to myself. I like being a virgin.

I understand I haven't been with anybody in over 20 years but to be honest my mind isn't always celibate. I did choose this because of the pain and consequences not being celibate caused me and later God came into the picture and that added to my reasons, I'm wanting not to be a fornicator. I honestly thought that at some point Mr. right would come along sooner than later however it's been 20 years and no husband. Noone believes me either when I say I'm not sexually active. Hang in their girlfriend is all I can say. I want a man but the right way, God's way is that so hard to believe?