摘要：

同性恋，本是一种为传统社会所不齿的文化现象，但伴随着西方国家工业化和城市化的实现，迅速蔓延开来。美国社会对待同性恋亚文化，经历了从迫害、漠视到宽容的漫长过程。本文关注美国同性恋不同历史时期同性恋的不同表现，解析其背后的原因，总结美国同性恋文化对本国政治、社会交往、价值观和文化的影响。

关键词：同性恋；美国；原因；影响

Abstract:

Homosexuality was a contemptible cultural phenomenon in traditional society. But with the realization of industrialization and urbanization, homosexuality extended quickly. Homosexuality in America had undergone a long process of oppression, ignorance and tolerance. This paper focuses on the different homosexual manifestations in different times, and analyses the reasons for homosexual phenomena and the influences on American politics, social contact, values and culture.

Key words: homosexuality; America; reasons; influences

1.     Introduction
It is widely acknowledged that behind every minority group there is a story of blood and tears. Homosexuals are no exception. Homosexuality in America has been subject to thousands of years of prejudice, discrimination, and oppression, enshrined in religious and legal prohibitions and popular fears, and has often been met with violent opposition. In the darkness and iciness of the closet, they have been suffering frustration, alienation, and self-denial with their soul being gnawed and their heart torn apart. Nevertheless, as American society has developed and progressed along with advanced science and technology, interests and benefits of homosexuals have caused considerable concerns and vehement debates among a wide spectrum of society. Homosexuals actually show up and often raise many social movements to call on people to rethink the sex, sexual role, sexual status and sexual rules. As we know, there are six states and the District of Columbia permitting homo-marriage. They are Massachusetts, California, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. Besides, a few states，like New Jersey，permit homosexual “civil combination”. However, most states of America forbid homo-marriage. And critics including big religious organizations and conservative political organizations, who are against homo-marriage, propagate that marriage should be the combination of men and women. Although homosexuals have many rights like ordinary people, they still face difficult situations. Nevertheless, homosexual movements are in the progress.