Slightly OT, but of a similar bent - I've finally realised since moving back here that my Dad is seriously homophobic. I knew he had those leanings, but not to the extent I've discovered, because of course I've not spent this long with them in years and shied away from hot topics even when I did.
He is also pro-death penalty, slightly racist and believes a load of old shit he reads in his right wing paper (which they buy because the only left wing papers are either tabloid rubbish or too high brow for them).
I still love him of course. But I am saddened by his views.
It's interesting what you learn about your parents when you live with them as an adult.
When I was living with my mum with the kids, I recall a conversation between a friend and I about gay partners adopting babies. Mum was there and she was adamantly against it. When I asked why, she said it was because kids need both male and female influence, so I asked her what the difference was between two lesbian women raising kids and the situation we were in with me and Mum being the major influences on my kids. She fluffed about and said how it was different, but I think she kind of got my point. After that she moved on to a different point of view.
I was surprised to learn how conservative my Mum was in that regard when in other situations she was very liberal. Anyway, I'm glad I was grown up enough not to allow her views to tarnish the sincere admiration I held for her.