Last week, a co-worker who shall remain nameless — ahem, Will Mari, The Daily’s opinion editor, ahem — made a rather shocking comment, calling into question my self-respect.

It started with a direct response to my statement that, “Quite frankly, Matthew McConaughey can have me anytime,” to which he replied, “Where’s your self-respect?”

To call into question my dignityand where it has gone — even if it was in jest — shook me to my core. What century are we in? Weird. I thought this was the 21st century, not the Victorian era.

After a mild freak out at the aforementioned nameless co-worker, I decided the best plan of action would be to write a staff editorial discussing my personal belief on my self-respect.

I do not believe — nor can I believe — that I stand alone in my values. Although I’m not in a marriage, let alone any real “relationship,” I’m not a virgin. I’m not a virgin, and I’m not a virgin by choice. But a broken hymen doesn’t jeopardize my self-respect. I have female friends who are virgins-by-choice, virgins-not-by-choice and virgins-no-more. I don’t judge them and nor do they judge me. Sex is just not a big deal to me. I respect my friends who are saving themselves till marriage, and I admire their self-restraint. I respect my friends who have safe sex with multiple partners. And I respect myself. I respect myself enough to let myself have sex. I respect myself enough to allow my body to feel pleasure and passion in spite of what others may think.

Some have called me promiscuous, and on a few occasions a “slut.” I pride myself on not giving into peer pressure, and that includes my sexual encounters. I respect myself enough not to let anyone influence my actions in my bed — or another’s.

On only one occasion have I allowed the thoughts and opinions of others to have an effect on me with my sexual actions, and I regret it. Worried about what my friends would think of me if I had sexual intercourse with two different partners in one week, I held off and stopped myself before intercourse occurred.

Why? The only reason was because I was scared of what other people would think. I gave up a satisfying and thrilling night filled with safe sex because I didn’t want my roommates to look down on me. So I waited a few more days and had sex with him the next week.

I understand people have different beliefs and values, some very different than my own. Call me “promiscuous,” “slutty,” “whorish,” “loose” or “deviant,” but don’t think for one second that I don’t respect myself. I have standards, ya know.