I see, thanks for clarifying. I explain it to myself this way: the US is big, actually quite diverse. Large parts of it are still traditionalist and agrarian (like where I grew up), and we are slow to move. But I think shirtlifterbear is right - there has been a sea change.
Where I grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, which admittedly is an island of blue in a sea of red, you could even describe as gay friendly, especially compared to 20 years ago. I was stunned at some of the progress my mother told me has happened on that front. As my sister put it, "wtf, did someone just run around whacking everyone with a clue bat?" It's also far more ethnically diverse and I think that typically helps open minds.
Re: Yes, we need to catch up re: treatment of gays, but...
Where I grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, which admittedly is an island of blue in a sea of red, you could even describe as gay friendly, especially compared to 20 years ago. I was stunned at some of the progress my mother told me has happened on that front. As my sister put it, "wtf, did someone just run around whacking everyone with a clue bat?" It's also far more ethnically diverse and I think that typically helps open minds.