I guess it depends on the joke and who's telling it.
One of my dad's favorite gay jokes from the '80's was:
Q: What does AIDS do?
A: It turns fruits into vegetables.
My father is a raging homophobe, in addition to his other bigotries. He does not tell such jokes because he cares about homosexuals, even the ones in our extended family. The above is one of the kinder gay jokes he tells. I was in high school when my dad told me this joke, shortly after my first homosexual encounter. When I said I didn't think it was funny because a close friend of mine was gay and I really hoped he would never get AIDS, my dad's reply was, "Well, if he keeps his ASS out of trouble, he'll be fine." He stressed the word "ass" and laughed himself sick. Needless to say, I didn't come out to him. I probably should have, but I didn't fancy the idea of being homeless at 17.
By contrast, what follows is a gay joke I heard from a gay man.
Q: What's the difference between a gay waiter and a washing machine?
A: (with hands on hips, twisting back and forth, and using a sing-song voice) Abosolutely nothing!
I found this joke funny, but when I told it to another gay friend of mine, he nearly killed himself laughing. He really thought it was funny.
My wife, nearing ordination, loves the following joke about her denomination.
Q: How many Congregationalists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Change?
Of course, this joke was told by a Congregationalists pastor during a sermon.
So, I guess it depends who is telling the joke and who is hearing it. To some, such things are funny. To others, they are hateful and offensive.