I was raised right in the middle of the Bible Belt. Most of my life consisted of bullying of one type or another.
I retreated into Science Fiction books because I didn't know how to speak up. It wasn't until I ended up in Portland that I came to terms with my Gayness and the right to speak up for myself. As a Programmer, most people in my environment, didn't care. So I was an innocent and silent.
It wasn't until the age of 24 that I learned: "Fuck 'em if they can't accept me for who I am." and the very important: "I'm not everybody's cup of tea; but for those that I am, I'm a very special cup of tea!"
I don't wish bigotry on anybody for no matter what the reason. That's why a few years ago I embraced diversity, and I reject bullying. That's why I've been more vocal and rejecting being silent because "that's the way it's always been."
I've been horrified to learn that the LGBTQ community is just as bad as the Christian Community that I experienced in the Bible Belt. Just as resistant to changing their behavior for the better.
As @deej has said: "That's why we can't have nice things!" I want the nice things, the nice people, the nice community. Sadly, it starting to seem an impossible dream. But I'm willing to keep tilting at the windmills.