We could look to a couple of other examples, one being Boys in the Band, which was released in 1970. Kerry has posted much about this film. It was ground breaking in a number of ways as its intent, as I see it, was to portray homosexuals in a positive light.
That's interesting. I've never actually seen the film, but I read the play in college--though that was a long time ago. However, I've seen this film--and play--
denounced for portraying gay men as bitchy queens with horrible lives who end up alone.
Maybe it all depends on your perspective.