目前全球各地的人類或不同種族仍然以異性戀為主,而同性戀僅占少數;由此同性戀者被貼上「標籤」;使得人們會有恐同性戀症(homophobia)之反應(Warren,2003;Wong & Tang,2003);而以異性戀為主流的社會是無法容納同性戀者存在的。徐佐銘(2003)認為同性戀的長夜或許「將盡」,但仍非「終盡」,在污名時期,同性戀這個標籤由於是許多同性戀者的符咒,因此並沒有真正成為許多同性戀者的身分認同;許多同性戀者對同性戀這個身分認同的標籤,態度是猶豫、徬徨與恐懼,甚至排斥多過於欣然接受;而異性戀霸權與父權體制是權力結構與有勢力之機制,其對同性戀者影響極大。因此,唯有懷著尊重、關懷與接納的態度,接受異性戀者、同性戀者只是性取向不同,幫助同性戀者自我了解、自我成長,為社會貢獻自我才能,才是整個社會的明智做法(晏涵文,1993)。最後,本文藉由相關文獻資料探討回顧,將同性戀之意涵、成因、概念演變與異性戀霸權與父權體制對同性戀者之影響等做一敘述,以了解同性戀者之處境與污名。
Heterosexuality is still dominant among races in every part of the world, with homosexuality becoming a minority. The society dominated by the heterosexual does not accept the homosexual's existence, so the ”labeled” homosexual suffers from homophobia. The society suffers as a consequence as well. The long night of the homosexual will certainly ”end soon”, as mores are changing, but it will not ”finally end”. Homosexuals, living with stigma, continue to stiffer with this label and are not accommodated by the heterosexual. Their attitudes toward their homosexual identity are hesitant, insecure and fearful, even rejecting rather than accepting their homosexuality. Furthermore, heterosexual hegemony and patriarchy are the mechanism of power itself, keeping the homosexual in the minority. There is the issue of basic human rights. Additionally, since homosexual contribution to society is thereby diminished, it is a wise choice for society to possess the attitude of respect, care and acceptance toward the homosexual, as well as other minorities, and to facilitate the homosexual's self-understanding, self-growth. This descriptive study is a systematic review of related literature including the definition and meaning of homosexuality, etiology, concept evolution, and the influence of heterosexual hegemony and patriarchy on the homosexual, providing greater understanding of their dilemma and stigma.