salfordsteve, thank you for clarification!
I agree that there is no need for an apology from your side.

On the other hand, the reactions of some posters were immature and disrespectful towards gays.
They(!) should take some time to think about their attitude leading to estimate "gay" as a swearword!

By the way, I myself was pretty surprised when horlogeman mentioned his wife for the first time. ;-)
Again, horlogeman, no offence meant.