Although this will not answer the original question, one other consideration in our society is bullying. Some youth, even as young as 7, can be bullied and called “gay” or even derogatory terms by their peers based on stereotypes, whether those bullies fully understand the meaning of the term “gay” or not. While that is not a determining factor in ones orientation, of course, I think it should be considered as youth are continually labeled or called names by their peers, and may perhaps accept those labels. As a gay person myself, I’ve noticed some of the most fervent speakers about homosexuality are in fact heterosexual persons. I was called “gay” when I was younger by peers long before I “accepted” myself or fully understand what it meant. Again, some of the most ardent users of these labels, even at surprisingly young ages, seemed to be peers. The word “gay” is spouted off in all sorts of nonsensical manners…“You’re gay.” “This is so gay” “My homework is so gay.” With youth usage of the term, the only true way to know what a child who says, “I am gay” actually is thinking is ask, “And what does gay mean to you?” And then just listen to the child’s explanation. But I stand by my original claims that no one can assert what a child means, especially without speaking with the child, as I think it remiss to apply a blanket answer to a question such as, “can a (insert age) know his or her orientation?” There are going to be anecdotes for both sides, as evidenced from the previous replies. I don’t think we can say what a person knows or doesn’t know without official and unbiased research in this particular area…we can’t say, “well, I certainly didn’t know at that age, so no way any other child could have comprehended it either.”