My daughter came out as bisexual a year ago ... I already knew so it was no surprise, unlike her mother who still refuses to accept it, calling it a phase. My daughter 15 started dating a guy 17 ... Who a month into their relationship came out trans (male to female) ...4 months now and my ex still won't use proper pronouns and my daughter has moved in with me simply because of the homophobic crap from her mother and stepfathers family. Her girlfriend can't come out because her parents are zealots.
I was raised by semi-religious parents and very religious extended family. Everyone talked about religion as if it were some great thing ... Never felt it. As an atheist, my ex's adultery was seen as ok because he was going to the same church.
In the end ... It doesn't matter. Love is love.

I'm from a different era. When I was growing up if you were even suspected of being gay you could count on having the shit kicked out of you on a weekly basis. If you were overtly gay, make that a daily basis.The first openly gay person I met was Mike in college. He lived in Scott Hall and was known as Mary, Queen of Scott. He left school after being beaten bloody. I worked for a company for 3 years and kept my sexuality hidden. when my boss found out I was gay, I was fired in less than 2 weeks. I asked why and I was told I just don't fit in. I'm glad times are changing but here in America we are seeing the ugly last ditch efforts of biggots trying to preserve the old ways. Today, they are the ones being outed!

Really depends on the area you live in and the person you're coming out to. For example, I live in Georgia. Of course, Atlanta and the surrounding metro Atlanta area are going to be far more accepting about me being a lesbian, then, say, the puny north Georgia town I used to live in with a population of 1000, but there are still religious people who find it appalling, even in the most liberal areas. I do think places like Portland, Oregon would be the most accepting (at least in the US), but no matter how good it gets, you still run the risk of coming across an asshole when you come out.

Being as straight as an arrow, I can't comment from the LGBTQ perspective -- but -- think about the history -- w/in the last 20-30 years a culture that was derided, ridiculed, and despised has now become accepted. There is a lot of fear still out there in the LGBTQ culture - it takes courage to admit one is "not one of the herd" - I can acknowledge that and give 'em a big thumbs up for their courage and conviction. Kinda like being a liberal in a red-neck area - it takes guts to stand up to the crowd.

I used to live in P-Town.

Varies where you live. Some areas more liberal. NH just passed some positive transgender legislation.