Disclosure: I am gay. Much of the self loathing described in the story is based on politicly correct lies that gays today have it worse than previous generations.  In truth things have never been better.   Misery can be a self fulfilling prophesy.  Many sad gays are so self absorbed in their own little lives on Church St,  they forget there is a big wide world out there that doesn't give a damn if they are gay.  For them, being gay is a ball and chain of self pity, and they expect the rest of the world to care. I see it in the younger generation who side  with BLM,  a symptom of that self loathing.