Homosexuality and Confucianism

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As long as they do not impede one's fulfilling one's obligations to the family and the state, loving and sexual relations between individuals of the same sex have been traditionally accepted in Confucian thought. However, relations which result in one's failure to fulfill one's filial and reproductive duties are seen as disruptive, and condemned. This is due to the mandate of procreation in the teachings required of sons. As Confucianism is considered primarily an ethical tradition and not strictly a religion (see Is Confucianism a religion?), views on homosexuality are not shaped by divine law as in other religions.

[edit] Homosexuality in scripture

Homosexuality is not mentioned at all in the Confucian scriptures. It is neither listed as a sin nor is it condoned. However, men and women are each expected to abide by traditional gender roles. Men are forbidden from acting too effeminate and woman are forbidden from acting too masculine. Thus, transvestism is strictly forbidden. Some have argued that during anal sex between two men, one must take on the passive role of a woman, defying the man's proscribed gender role. The opposite is true of lesbian couples.

"Biting the bitter peel" a euphemism for homosexual relations, generally taken to mean anal sex, is mentioned as having been practiced by several individuals in the Book of History as well as the Spring and Autumn Annals, both texts belonging to the Five Books. The description seems roughly parallel to the Greek examples, where an older male serves as the "lover" and the younger male serves as the more feminine "beloved". It is unclear in the texts whether these relationships were expected to end once the "beloved" reached the age of majority in these texts -- though it would seem somewhat unlikely given the strong class divide which is also present (the lord acts as the "lover" and various servants fill the role of "beloved").

[edit] Social responsibility

The Confucian moral code emphasizes each person's responsibility to society. Confucians are expected to get married and have children; this is their responsibility to their ancestors and their country. A male's duty is to have male children to pass on his family name; a female's duty is to bear her husband male children to carry on his family name. Homosexuality cannot result in reproduction and this is the main reason why Confucians tend to disapprove of it. Confucianism stresses an individuals' loyalty to their family and their country. If a one's parents forbade one from engaging in homosexuality, or if the state outlawed homosexuality (as was the case in China between 1740 and 1997), one would be expected to comply with these orders.^{[citation needed]}