Homophobia has deep roots in Western (or judaist religious) societies and will continue to
until humans no longer exist.
Originally (In B.C years), it was just a general safety tip. To engage in sexual acts with
other
men (Lesbians were not really considered at the time) was a health hazard.
The diseases and general grotty nature of two cavemen f***ing was enough to make
people
call it out.
Of course, you had the majority of the men being straight and as all people can relate to,
what you do not understand, you either hate or are scared of.
That was worked into several lines in the Judaist Bible (the most commonly known being
Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. )
But even then, they are rumored to be mis-translated lines, just as many more common
verses are. For others relating to homosexuality check out
This site.
This evolved into society, where it just became an unspoken taboo. No bible verse was
needed to discriminate against gays, it was just immoral.
This was the legal and (generally) public viewpoint up intil 1967 in America and early
1970's in Australia.
To
not discriminate against homosexuality was considered taboo, alongside
homosexuality itself.
Especially in more rural areas, homosexuality got a bad reputation for femimine acting
males. Rural areas, often full of gruff, working-class men would see "pansies" as wastes of
space, etc.
Then, when stereotypes of gay males acting in such a manner floated through, it just
focused the hate.
This is very much the modern case;
Misinformation about homosexuality and a need to fit in amongst peers will pressure the
modern man or woman into homophobia.
If people understood the details of it, the tribulations and the love, there would be no
problem. But many people don't want to. They just cannot see past "perverts" and
"Queers".
Which is a shame, it'll be a long time before GLBT rights are introduced globally. A very
long time.
And Jmo, this may not be the case, but the UK has a reputation for being a very homo-
friendly area. I'd say your string of luck has more to do with location than an actual
notification of the public's current opinion.