Indeed.
For years, the only homosexuals I knew was one guy in High School and two guys in Art College in the fashion design department.
They had little mannerisms about them, but were not totally blatant about it.
It worked out to about 1.5% of the population. Kind of the same as now, but you would never know it from the media.
Edward Bernays came up with the technique of making things like Ideas seem more common or acceptable. He was an advertizing expert so its what he did.
At that time, few women smoked cigarettes so tobacco companies hired Bernays. Bernays would hire models who would go to places where they would be seen. They would light up on cue to appear glamorous so other women would want to do it as well.
In fairness to Bernays, I don't think he was an evil guy. I think he was just doing what he was paid to do without much thought of the consequences. He did work for Calvin Coolidge who was about as far from progressive as you can get.