Just like racists; they're still out there, just a lot of them keep quiet about it.
Then again, there are enough of them who are quite vocal about it, at least in the U.S., that it shows clearly in public policy negotiations, so I'm not sure about how inconspicuous it seems to be.
I'm kind of with you in that when someone says "I'm gay" like it's a big deal, I'm like "good for you buddy, and...?". I think the goal should be that it doesn't matter, like I don't run around introducing people to my "straight" sister. It should be that no one cares either way. Unfortunately, many people do care in the negative, for whatever reason, and I think that's what they're fighting to change before it can become "no big deal"; is that it is still a big deal in the wrong way.
Though, I do have to say it gets a little annoying when being gay is the only thing someone has to say about their self. Like this; I'm straight, and that's an important defining aspect of my life, but there's more to me, you know? I don't just tell people I'm straight and expect that to carry the rest of my personality. I'm not like every other straight person out there. There is more to a person who is gay than just their being gay, but it seems that many only focus on that. That could be a bit of a problem (don't get me wrong, it doesn't warrant any hate at all); if a gay person appears to be a "gay person" and nothing else, it can lead to generalization and stereotyping.
Lucem712 said:
(I can't comment on the state of other nations because I'm a USican)
There was a thread earlier about the legitimacy of "American" as a demonym; I think you've just solved the problem.