How much of sexual orientation is innate? Can being gay or straight be societally influenced?

Thank you for your question . It ' s important to recognize that sexual orientation is a complex and mult if ac et ed aspect of a person ' s identity , and there is on going debate and research on the topic of its inn aten ess and soci etal influ ences . \n Wh ile there is no cons ensus on the exact proportion of inn ate versus soci etal factors in sh aping sexual orientation , the scientific cons ensus is that sexual orientation is not a choice , but rather a natural part of a person ' s identity . \n Res earch suggests that sexual orientation is likely influenced by a combination of gen etic , h orm onal , and environmental factors , which may interact differently for different individuals . While there is no single " g ay gene ," several gen etic markers have been found to be more common among people with same - sex attra ctions than among those with opposite - sex attra ctions . \n However , it ' s important to recognize that sexual orientation is not fixed or determin ate , and that individuals may experience a range of emot ions and attra ctions throughout their lives . Additionally , soci etal factors , such as cultural norm s and expect ations , can certainly influence an individual ' s self - ident ification and expression of their sexual orientation . \n It ' s important to approach this topic with sens itivity and respect for the divers ity of human sexual ity , and to recognize that all individuals have the right to self - ident ify and express their sexual orientation in a way that is authentic and meaning ful to them . \n In conclusion , while the exact proportion of inn ate versus soci etal factors in sh aping sexual orientation is still a topic of debate , the scientific cons ensus is that sexual orientation is not a choice , but rather a natural part of a person ' s identity . It ' s important to approach this topic with sens itivity and respect for the divers ity of human sexual ity , and to recognize that all individuals have the right to self - ident ify and express their sexual orientation in a way that is authentic and meaning ful to them . </s>