In my life, when I have faced or observed homophobia, I've been told, "it was just a joke", "they don't know any better" and of course, "they grew up in a different time". There is never a valid excuse for homophobia or persecution of any kind. The sad thing is, so often people avoid expressing discomfort or disagreement with homophobia — because it's easier not to.

If we want to create a society, a profession and a workplace where people feel that they don't have to worry that they'll be put in humiliating and often deeply hurtful situations because of their sexual orientation, we all need to challenge homophobic language wherever it exists. This can be done with tact, without causing a scene or discouraging the person or people from engaging with you in the future (which may be a particular concern in the workplace).