The only evidence I have read (guy in our department's Ph.D.) is that it 
leads to suicide if you are not. Although independent minded is the wrong
word for this trait.
 
> On the issue of homosexuality, should a person's orientation matter that
> much?  I imagine that being in a minority -- even a sexual one
> for one to become more independent minded.  (Has anyone actually done a
> study of this?)  Other than that, I guess non-heterosexuals would be more
> open on average to experimentation outside of traditional gender and sexual
> roles.