Gay Man Takes Down Antigay Preacher on Subway
Eventually he jumps from his seat and declares, "I'm a man, and I'm a good man, and I'm a gay man, and Jesus loves me." His comment draws applause from other subway riders.http://www.advocate.com/society/2013/02/19/gay-man-takes-down-antigay-preacher-subway
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Maybe not themselves, but what they spawn. 
and of the NY area. Props to the gay man that stood up....but the fact of the matter is he might as well be talking to a brick wall. That would be the case with most religious nuts, but in this case, the "preacher" strikes me as what my city cop relative would call an EDP or "emotionally disturbed person" (its the PC way for cops to identify a mentally unstable or downright crazy person incapable of any reason).
In a situation like this, unless he is physically assaulting someone, or directly verbally assaulting someone (yeah yeah i know you can consider his rantings as verbal assault, but i mean more like singling out an individual and berating and harassing them and only them) its best to ignore him, at least until you happen upon a transit cop (lucky if you can find one). The flash of a badge is usually enough for them to clam up or get off the train, as they are causing a disturbance.
This "preacher" is never going to "stop and suddenly read up on jesus" or "look in a mirror and realize that he is a false prophet," he's mentally unbalanced, plain and simple, at least thats my opinion. Again, this is just my take, that's all. I equate that "preacher" not with someone expressing a misguided viewpoint that needs correcting, or even an abhorrent viewpoint that requires aggressive, vocal opposition. I equate him with a rabid barking dog that is causing a disturbance and needs to be handled by the proper authorities for causing a public disturbance. You cannot reason and wax theological with Cujo....you need a big net and a dog catcher. 
i respect your opinion. As for me tho, i guess i'm just jaded, having rid the subway umpteen times, you grow a thick skin over these sort of things. Again, feel free to disagree, but as for me, my take is the guy is a kook, plain and simple. There's no moral or societal introspective dialogue to extrapolate from this scene for the advancement of human rights, anymore than trying to stand up to a tinfoil head ranting about reptilian people and end times on a subway platform. Again, that's just my take. No biggie.
And respect that too. Its true that even if that person did not stand up to the quack, he would be digging his own grave as every other sane person would dismiss what he said and not take it seriously anyways.
I still contend though that it may have done a tiny tiny bit of good for even one person sitting there. And that's enough. (and that's not even taking into account that its now on YouTube and reaching an even bigger audience) But yeah no biggie
i was looking at the situation strictly from the setting it took place in. You're right, it can have different effects in different settings, in your case FL. I was strictly responding in context of the setting of the subway, traversed by thousands of strap hangers, a veritable melting pot, or crazy gumbo if you will of varying opinions, chattering of voices, blasting of music, blaring saxophones, break dancers....on a crowded train, their feet inches from smacking an irked passenger in the face, panhandlers, public defecation, and more than a fair share of downright kooks spewing kookoo ideas and outright rants worthy of a stay at Bellevue Hospital (known historically in NYC for its mental facilities).
Talking to a crank "preacher" in the busiest subway in north america is a wasted effort IMO, But in a rural or conservative setting for example, it can have a different result. You are correct.