Discourses of Heteronormativity and Power: The Ethical Position of Confucianism on Same-Sex Behaviour in China

This article investigates the beliefs of Confucianism—China’s authoritative philosophy—regarding same-sex behavior, by examining Confucian canonical texts—either directly or through the interpretations of other scholars—and the scholarly literature on the relationship between the Confucian ethics and same-sex behavior. Additionally, this article explores the empirical research and media focusing on the lives of Chinese homosexuals to ascertain whether Confucianism has a palpable impact on their daily existence. This article argues that compared to pre-modern China, the Confucian concept of filial piety has a profound influence on the lives of contemporary Chinese homosexuals.