Thank you so much for writing this. If you substitute the word "Trans" for "Gay", you have a good slice of my own experiences growing up and as an adult. I too watched All In The Family as a kid and I easily recall this episode. 50 years ago there was no term for being Trans, so many of the kids I knew thought I was Gay. I too had a close friend back then, but there never was anything Gay about us. However looking back now, from the perspective of being a Trans woman, it all makes much more sense,,. And so our mutual struggles continue. Cheers :)