An individual has the power to choose their own identity. It is simply a label that you choose to apply to yourself. Gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, and religion are examples that can be referred to as part of an individual’s identity. Identity is fluent as it can be controlled by our decisions and interests, however, other individuals can have an impact on our identity. Mainstream media can have an influence on identity as well.

Social identity is how other people view ourselves. Whether it is pertaining to aspects that we have do not control over, such as race and family relations, it can be difficult to manage our identity. What truly matters is how we see ourselves, yet society plays a role in personal identity. Depending on the circumstance, some aspects of our identity can be manageable. Nonetheless, in some cultures, sexuality is not an attainable part identity of some individuals identity. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community is illegal in various countries around the world. Political institutions such as national government and law enforcement control the behaviors of their citizens, thus being part of the LGBTQ+ community cannot be embedded in one’s identity. These forces regulate societal interactions as it can cause homophobia and hate crimes. Choosing your identity can be seen as a privilege.