I realized I was gay when I was 15 (going on 16) and, at 17, am still trying to figure everything out in my head. In one way, I feel the same (since obviously I've always been a lesbian), but yet everything feels different (suddenly I can see things without the film of self-denial/self-conditioning, haha).

 One of the issues I've been struggling with has been my religion. I'm a Christian (not any particular denomination though) and the fact that just being me/being with the people I have feelings for could be considered 'sinful' was very troubling to me. Recently, however, I came across a very good (if somewhat long - just as a warning! ;) ) article which lays out exactly what the Bible says about being gay, and how these verses are misinterpreted.

I'm not sure if this link has been posted before, but it's a very good read for anyone else who has similar concerns:

http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-gay-christian

Even if you're not a Christian, I think it'd be a good idea to read it anyway so as to absolve some of the antagonism some people have towards Christianity (understandably, of course, due to the mass misinterpretation/mishandling of the Bible by fundamentalists who see only what they want to see...but that's another story).

Anyway, enjoy it. I know I did, and so did my mom (who's a children's pastor...she actually cried at some of the tragedies mentioned). I hope it eases some people's concerns. after i read it, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, haha