text: I thought I had replied to you twice now but I have re-read the relevant posts and I'll try again.
  Normally when a man says, "I am married," one naturally assumes he has a wife, even when a man says he has a partner the assumption is 'live in girlfriend'. I now see where you are coming from.
  I recall that when I was a training supervisor a trainee often talked about his partner. After a couple of days he let slip that this partner was a man. His trainer, a woman, religious but not Catholic, nearly fell off her chair in shock.
  I have known and had friendships with many people I have suspected of being homosexual but never knew. I have also encountered homosexuals who were quite blasé about it, what you call 'in your face', one sounding off in detail about his relationships in a crowded works smoking room.
  Heterosexuals despite what the polls say are not really comfortable with homosexuality, at most they tolerate it these days or are forced to by legislation.