[donna]

"Back in the 70s (and 60s and 50s too) “beatin up queers” was a generally accepted hobby for the “tough guy” contingent of our society."

No it wasn't. You've been brainwashed. Homosexuals were still in the closet, they couldn't be found to be beaten up.

[razorboy]

Yes it was, I lived in the era not brainwashing at all. Homosexuals often stayed in the closet because it was safer there, you don’t get beaten up for being gay if nobody knows you’re gay. If you think they couldn’t be found then it’s you that’s been brainwashed.