本文之目的,是要對美國禁止就業上性傾向歧視法制之建構及實施情形,做一整體之檢視,並評析其優劣得失及引起爭議之處。全文之重要內容共分四個部分:第一部分討論此類爭議在美國之發展背景。第二部分就相關法令及執行機關未能對這類勞動者提供充分保障之情形,以及對聯邦各級法院之各項判決加以說明,並論及改革之重要內容與未能成功之原因。第三部分說明此類事件被害人可以請求救濟之其他法律途徑。第四部分除評析美國軍中規範性傾向歧視法制之演進情形,並與歐洲聯盟之現制做一比較。此外,由於我國就業服務法中,已將性傾向歧視自性別歧視中抽離,因此,本文將設法討論美國在這方面之經驗,可供我國啟示及參酌援引之處。
The purpose of this paper is to offer an overall assessment and discussion on the merits, shortcomings and controversies of the law and practice of prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination in employment in the United States. The main contents of the paper are divided into four sections. Section One describes the general background of various hardships faced by sexual minorities in the job markets in the States. Section Two analyzes the reasons why federal fair employment statutes and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission cannot provide them with adequate protections. It also discusses several related decisions rendered by the federal courts and reform measures offered by Congress in recent years. Section Three details other legal remedies provided by the Federal Constitution, local statutes and regulations and common law. Section Four discusses the controversial issues arising from the treatment of gay and lesbian members of the U.S. armed forces. It also offers a comparative study of the same legal regime adopted by the European Union and evaluates whether the American experience in this field can provide any lessons for Taiwan given its recent endeavors to reform anti-discrimination measures in the legal system dealing with employment.