First, such stimatization is not limited to "conservative America." Such bias is pervasive and even exists within the LGBTQ+ community. And, as long as we stay closeted in this regard out of fear of exposure and of being ostracized, this stigma will remain. I think the film was helpful in its revelation of such a partnership... but only because of Bernstein's recognized genius. Had the protagonist not been a world renown artist, the public would have seen him simply as a selfish, impulsive, perverted cad.