I waited. I planned to wait for marriage because of religious ties and a very bad experience in a first relationship.

I use waited in past tense.

My current SO and I have worked through my fears about sex and waiting and have a wonderfully amazing and positive relationship with sex as an additionally great component in our relationship. For me, I waited and feel like waiting until marriage was my easy excuse. In reality, I was more afraid of heart break and feeling used and hurt. I feel anything but that: loved and appreciated is all.

The concept of waiting for marriage imo makes sex seem like a terrifyingly bad thing. It demonizes it and makes it a shameful act in any situation outside of marriage. I don't regret waiting as long as I did, but I couldn't imagine the pressure of waiting until marriage and then suddenly jumping into a sexual relationship. I realize now, sexual comparability is important.

Plus, some of the things TLWers (True love waits-era?) do to avoid sex but still experiment is harmful and detrimental. I feel like sex itself is a much more respectable activity.

But, could I date someone who wanted to wait: yes.

You have your reasons for waiting. Listen to what is best for you. Wait for the right person who cares about you, your needs, and your wishes. If you want to wait, do it. If someone doesn't want to be with you because of it, they aren't right for you. someone who loves you for you will love your feelings on this subject and will respect them.

Find someone who respects you. You deserve to wait if that's what you want because you are deserving of respect.