Dear Abby:

For the last couple of years, I’ve been working, somewhat successfully, to keep my asexuality hidden from my family.

Recently, I overheard my parents chatting about dating with my older siblings, which really got to me. It’s just that my experiences don’t align with theirs at all. Unlike three of my brothers, I’ve never dated the same person twice.

Now, I’m considering joining a specific student club at my college. Honestly, I’ve never thought about having a “coming out party” before, and the whole idea makes me a bit anxious.

I can’t shake the worry about how my parents would react if they found out before I got a chance to tell them myself. Coming out might clash with their conservative religious views.

To make things even trickier, my family is planning a road trip to meet someone I connected with on a dating app, who lives quite a distance away.

I can’t help but think that if she discovers I’m asexual, she might not be interested in dating me, especially considering my hesitance towards long-term relationships.

What should I do? Is it better to put my coming out plans on hold to avoid upsetting my family, or should I seek out support from others? — A Closed Place in the Midwest

Dear Closet:

If you feel it’s important to come out about your asexuality, maybe consider waiting until you feel really ready. Asexuality isn’t a sin, and your family’s beliefs shouldn’t dictate your truth. At this stage, there’s no rush to make any kind of big announcement.

Your relationships with women can thrive as long as they’re also asexual. If you look online, there are plenty of resources tailored for asexual individuals, including dating platforms.

Dear Abby:

A good friend of mine—let’s call her “Cindy”—is pregnant and has started tossing around names for her baby girl. It’s a bit odd, really, but Cindy seems attracted to names based solely on how they sound, regardless of what they mean.

For instance, I had to really push her to reconsider the name “Chlamydia” after pointing out the potential for serious bullying. Thankfully, she finally agreed to drop it.

Now, she’s fixated on the name “Cliché,” thinking it’s fine since it’s not a disease name. She’s even called me “hypercritical.” I’ve already raised concerns about three other names—like “Bidet” and “Chalet.”

Cindy’s family doesn’t seem bothered by her choices at all; in fact, they think she should go for “Chlamydia” because it sounds nice. I’m at a bit of a loss here; all I want is to spare a child from a lifetime of embarrassment. What should I do? — usually the New York name

Usual name:

Sometimes people just don’t see or hear the truth, do they? You might suggest to Cindy some lovely Greek names like Kalista, Lydia, Olympia, or Andromeda. Andromeda, after all, is a stunning name from Greek mythology tied to a constellation. After that, it might be best to avoid suggesting any more names to her.