But the difference is that back then, they didn't bend over the general public and make us take it. If some homo wanted to dress up like a broad and hook up with with fellow gay beaus, he did it on the weekends and nights in the inner city or perhaps in the woods while playing the banjo for the rural gay community.
Unless you went to their turf while they were there, you didn't have to deal with it.
During the day time and at work, a gay guy would be in men's clothes working as an accountant or something.