Gays are treated like hated nonhumans by many in this country. The common thread through most or all of the incidents in this book is Christianity. All or most of the groups campaigning for discrimination against or criminalization of homosexuality do so in the name of the religion of love, the teachings of the man who told his followers to love enemies and see humanity in those unlike ourselves, such as the Samaritans who were unlike the Jews. Businesses, business groups, and health organizations are not a significant part of this crusade. Often, in fact, they are on the other side of it.
Some religious groups are on the other side of it to.
In some cases this attitude barely disguises seething hatred and is about as believable as the idea that preventing those convicted of felonies from voting for life is intended to prevent crime and is not motivated by racism or sadism. In other cases, good intentions are mixed with ignorance and a longing for the supernatural. Anti-gay crusaders of this sort are unaware or unwilling to recognize that homosexuality is much more a matter of nature than nurture, and are intent on finding some eternal truth in certain passages of an ancient book. Some prominent members of the religious right have moderated their views. Some churches have attempted some half-way steps toward full equality for gays and lesbians.