SACRAMENTO — When recently asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity, 40 percent of California’s jurists gave the same answer: None of your business.

In a survey released Thursday by the Judicial Council, 672 judges and justices refused to say whether they are gay, straight, bisexual or transgender. Of the remaining 1,005 who did respond, 969 said they are heterosexual, 19 are lesbians and 17 are gay. One respondent is transgender.