As for me, I've also been living in a pretty patriarchal and homophobic country. But my father was an artist so a lot of gay people (men and women) hanged out at our house from my childhood and they didn't bother me in any way. Some of them were closeted gays (like my godfather), some of them were openly gay. We didn't live behind "iron curtain" though, on the contrary: all the time we'we been exposed to the Western influences.
The same was with my teenage idols who were gays: Freddie, George Michael, Elton John, Lihmal, even Bowie, and later actor Anthony Perkins .
I haven't payed much attention to this fact at the time of 70. and 80.
But back then there wasn't media involvent and some kind of pressure in this matter and people could live their own private lives without much problems when it comes to celebreties. As for the other people things look like a bit different.
My daughter' s best friend is a lesbian who hit on her for some time, even though she knew that K. is a straight person. When she finally came out their friendship developed in a good way for both of them. That girl has found girlfriend, and my daughter a boyfriend and they can discuss about men and women relationship in a more complex way and help out each other.
The only thing I don't like is an attempt of seduction of very young boys and girls by openly and mature gay persons.