Dear Worried,

God loves you. I love you. A human person created by God can't be "against" the Catholic religion. You need to talk with someone who understands this--and who can help you work through this major, major life challenge.

You sound confident that you know your sexual orientation. Not everyone your age does. You may want to continue to consider that question.

It's acting out of your lesbian orientation to express sexual connection to another woman that is judged sinful by the Church. It's not being, it's DOING that can be sinful. You may say that you can't see yourself never acting on your sexual orientation, but many, many people make this choice--some heterosexual, some homosexual. It's certainly possible.

Don't let go of the Church into which you were baptized and welcomed without counseling, prayer and much consideration. I'm sure it's not an accident that you are in the Church. We need you to show us the strength of lesbians in expressing the faith.

Every human being is getting the message these days that sex is casual, sexual activity is necessary and desirable. But, while sex is good and fine and sometimes a major, major pull in our lives, it's never killed anyone to "do without." (At least, they didn't come back to testify that no-sex is what killed them!) You are considering this question in a good and healthy way--and I encourage you to consider it within the Church. You are welcome here!