I think the other thing that's not immediately obvious to modern readers is that men sleeping together _could_ be seen as something childish. Boys at boarding school had "attachments" that they were expected to grow out of and marry a nice young woman.
Its probably better to see it like cocaine use. In posh circles everyone does it, and so long as you don't show it to the unwashed public, you're probably fine. However if you are caught by the police, or someone wants to take revenge, then letting slip that you're on coke is enough to get you ostracised.
Moreover, if poor people do it, then its a moral failing (see crack addict)
Its probably better to see it like cocaine use. In posh circles everyone does it, and so long as you don't show it to the unwashed public, you're probably fine. However if you are caught by the police, or someone wants to take revenge, then letting slip that you're on coke is enough to get you ostracised.
Moreover, if poor people do it, then its a moral failing (see crack addict)