Representation and depiction matter a lot it any LGBT politics across the board. Normalizing something that is seen as otherwise taboo is essential to encouraging change anywhere. And the way it is depicted on top of that matters as well. For example, m/m is typically represented as something that only exists for the female-fujo gaze and is fetishizing. On the other side of the coin, we have Persona showing their only gay characters as effeminate predators who force themselves on young underage boys.

So it's not that there is no "representation" of gay characters, but the way they're portrayed is a big influence over ignorance.

Cultural relativity aside, I think it's important to consider these points. There's a way to bring up cultural differences without using it as a reason to denounce legitimate concerns. Lol.