I think it depends on where you live. Certain areas have higher gay populations than others thus a higher probability of stealth gay contact.I grew up in So.Cal. (Orange County) in the 60's and to this day I don't have one friend or relation or friend of a relation that is gay...not one.
“I grew up in So.Cal. (Orange County) in the 60’s and to this day I don’t have one friend or relation or friend of a relation that is gay...not one.”
I have lived in OC continuously since 1954, school, work, etc.
And I have known several gay people.
My HS Student Body President, valedictorian, became a prominent Lost Angeles school teacher and early openly gay male figure.
At a very large Irvine based coprporation, a guy was a VP. People guessed out loud that he wasn’t married, etc. Now retired, resides in Laguna, and openly donates to gay causes.
At that same corporation (energy services industry) I had a couple of subordinates, who were gay men.
One needed termination, so in the mid 70s we made sure we had documentation for work product shortcomings.
Another was a solid manager, originally from rural Georgia, USA.
A prominent real estate agent in my current town is fairly openly gay. He was previously a CPA.
In my neighborhood there are (at least) two homes with long time homosexual residents.
One a single man who is well known to be gay. Original owner, dating to late 60s. Drives muscle cars.
The other a lesbian couple. No complaints. No late night parties, pink flags, bumper stickers, etc.
None have ever bothered me.