I’ve been accused of being a homophobe by those near and should be dear, and got involved in a huge ruckus with them such that I had to change my screen name on FR, and some of them refuse to communicate with me to this day. They tried to get me disinherited and almost did manage. So I used the word in sort of jest.
I’m sorry. I can only hope they see the light before it’s too late. There’s nothing worse than family/loved ones becoming antagonists politically, socially or in any way.
Don’t let that discourage you. I just speak my mind on the issue(s) at hand, then distance myself to let it cool. Even the Bible says family won’t always be an ally: “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:53