We have a similar expression in English. "You can't put lipstick on a pig." Meaning that you can't beautify something just by altering the trivial. (To be clear, I have nothing against pigs and I don't wish to refer to anyone in this story as a pig.)

I suspect you're probably right that people with deeply entranced homophobic ideas are highly unlikely to change their minds. But, sometimes they do, and regardless, heartfelt public commentary might cause thoughtfulness in people whose ideas are not so entrenched.