That was a powerful post, Gaffer. Yes, I guess we need to be powerful to get stupid people to wake up.
Years ago, I went to see the American film version of La Cage Aux Folles - in a suburban cement bunker in NJ. It was enjoyable and the couple in that film were portrayed as harmless. There wasn’t even a kiss in the movie. The suburban ladies around me were giggling and going “Awwww!” during the sentimental moments. I couldn’t believe that they were buying this hokey presentation of homosexuality - and then I realized they had probably never met a gay man or read anything about their habits. That was 20 years ago and I don’t think anything has changed.
Think Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares in the 70s. Sure everyone knew about him, but they didn’t care....they saw gays as these silly, effeminate guys who could be funny......of course nobody made the connection as to how sordid their private lives really were.