Chrizmart, I don't know how aware you are of the situation in Northern Ireland. I have never in my life experienced such overt homophobia. It was truly vicious. There was a Thursday night talk show televised each week from Belfast. The subject matter was often political and the panellists would be either unionist or nationalist politicians.

I saw the programme twice when it concerned matters surrounding homosexuality. I was utterly astonished! Unionist members of the audience at times were feral. The hatred of gay people was scary. 

It was a collection of Protestant fundamentalists, a macho vulgar culture, and plain knuckledraggers. 15000 is nothing in terms of the US, but it is serious, concentrated hatred in a small part of the world.

As an aside, there is a historical relationship between N. Ireland and early white settlers in the Appalachian mountains. 

Thankfully Ireland voted for gay rights at the recent referendum. I hope the North improves.