Abstract: Fiber optic connectors having a sealing membrane such as a foil or the like disposed on the front end of the connector housing for inhibiting dirt, debris or dust from reaching a ferrule end face are disclosed. The fiber optic connectors may have one or more ferrules with a mating end face that is located rearward of a front end of a connector housing of the fiber optic connector. The sealing membrane is disposed on the front end about a perimeter of the connector housing for inhibiting contaminants from reaching the one or more mating end faces of the respective ferrules until the fiber optic connector is desired to be mated. The sealing membrane is quick and easy to remove and/or pierce, thereby allowing optical mating of the fiber optic connector while providing single-use contaminant protection beforehand.