The Smiths as a gay band

Does anyone know the story of how, briefly, The Smiths were originally going to be presented as an 'openly gay' band? Back in 1982 there wasn't such a band active until Bronski Beat - a great idea but some obvious flaws to the plan in the case of The Smiths. I heard this very recently but wondered if there was a known source?

Update: The source is A Light That never Goes Out by Tony Fletcher. Relevant passages quoted in comments, for any future searchers of this intriguing moment from early Smiths history :0)