My friend was left for dead by a bunch of thugs who waited with the sole intent of smacking someone - anyone - for being gay. Broken ribs, bruised kidneys, broken arm, smashed cheekbone and jaw where they stamped on his face. All white boys with local accents, who made their views clear and stated they intended to kill him. He was lucky that someone saw it and shouted "Police!" so the thugs ran, then called him an ambulance.
It was 1967 before homosexuality was decriminalised in England. Until then, it was a crime, punishable by imprisonment. Long after that, it was an issue when looking for work or lodging. It's still an issue if you join the Armed Forces. 30 US states have banned gay people from entering into the legal state of marriage, whilst 8 have allowed it. Equal rights and everything's fine?