Back before AIDs became a crisis, gay people were headed down a good road. In the 70s, it was being more accepted and men were a lot more comfortable in their sexuality and being flamboyant (see Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, etc).
Then AIDs happened and it did a lot of damage for our image. A lot of the underlying stigma of homophobia stems from the fear if AIDs and gave ammo to the "all gay people are diseased perverts" argument.
Do you think gay rights would be a lot further along had AIDs not happened? Marriage rights, the way gays are viewed, the way men interact and portray themselves (as in male pop star actually being pop stars and not glorified prom dates), etc.
I honestly don't know, but I don't think really think it's fully leaning towards the bias stereotype of gay and aids.
If that was the case, none of the "Christians" would knock us down with their bible. I think it's more because it's more known and media likes to exploit it more. Compare the 70's to now, there is a huge difference in how it's treated (with media, etc.).
Honestly 10 years ago I didn't know much about the "gay culture." I never really heard anything about it. But lately it's every where. Gay marriage this, gay rights that. I think it just exploded within the past few decades and religious people jumped on it.
But yeah, I also think AIDS is involved in that also. But not 100%.
I can see why this argument holds water. It really reaffirmed that homosexuality was a sin and religious people/those who opposed homosexuality saw HIV/AIDS as punishment for the "sins" committed.
Yes - in the minds of some it confirmed their bigoted beliefs. But if you look at public attitude toward gays and lesbians, it sharply improved through the 80s and 90s. AIDS actually had the effect of bringing LGBT people into the national conversation and generated sympathy for the community.
