I'm going to pretend you didn't post that. You're not that naive.
the obvious difference is that if the signal is NOT scrambled, the bible-thumping boneheads have LOTS of ammuntion to fire at Q.
Once it IS scrambled, potential carriers will have NO reason NOT to carry Q if the $$$ and such is right. They carry Playboy, lots of 'adult' channels, Cinemax (which shows soft porn all the time)...
A 'subscriber only' gay channel will just be another channel to them. Any argument the bible-thumpers have will instantly be defused by a 'you can't watch it if you don't pay for it' PR.
THAT IS A VERY VERY VERY BIG DEAL. Right now, any little Johnny Jr with RCN can stumble accrosse them durned homosexxxuuualls and tell mommy and daddy about the two men holding hands on TV.