How do I know when I'm ready

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering how do you know.
I'm gay, there is no confusion about that. I'm in my early twenties, still closeted, and still a virgin. I know that I want to have sex but that's down the road. I think part of the reason I haven't tried is because I don't feel ready for it, although I'm not really sure. It might be kind of dub to be this old and not really know.
What I want to know is what does it really mean to feel ready? Was it a feeling you eventually got at a certain age, or did it just happen when you found someone?

[Lexington]

As dumb as it sounds, you're ready when you feel ready.

It might be that you meet a guy, and you start dating. And after six months of hugs and pecks on the cheek, you decide you're ready to move things to the next level. And you then work your way up to making out, and then mutual masturbation and whatever else.

Or maybe you'll be out one night, meet a guy, hit it off really well, and decide to go home with him and have sex with him right there.

For many years, I turned down offers of sex from people. Not that I had that many, but when they did, I decided I wasn't comfortable doing it just then. And then, at age 25, a guy I'd met half an hour ago asked me if I wanted to have sex with him. And I said yes. Because at that point, I felt ready. And I had a damn good time.

Lex