Is it valid to compare racism with anti-LGBT bias?

“It’s best not to compare the two: It’s like apples and oranges. This country oppresses black people on a much greater scale than LGBT folks. Just go to an impoverished ghetto. I don’t think you’ll see many gay people running around.”

“Yes and no. Gays are still stigmatized in society — look what happened in California. So I can understand why some people don’t want the comparison. But avoiding the comparison is just another form of homophobia. I’m optimistic that, someday, all of these differences will be erased.”

“No. It’s a convenient comparison, but not necessarily helpful. The two types of bias are very different. One’s immediate and obvious. The other is more inconspicuous. It’s about a lifestyle — something you don’t find out about right away.”