he believes it promotes hatred of gays.
That's like accusing a mirror of promoting ugliness. The "hatred," which is really nothing more than rejection, is the result of homosexuality's abhorrent practices, not any "promotion" on the part of religion. Yes, religions, including Christianity, tend to reject homosexuality, but because it is a sin, not out of sadism.
And in the end (!), if the pressure against homosexuality causes a person to reassess his commitment to that abominable lifestyle and seek redemption, then the pressure saved him from the fruits of his sin.
And that is the ultimate in compassion, not the enabling mentality that permits a person to destroy himself.
Thank you.