I think the guitar is probably still looked down on by purists but it has become more mainstream and perhaps not judged as harshly as it has been in the past. Maybe part of the negativity came about from the early days of rock n' roll and I bet that jazz musicians who picked up the electric instrument where probably lumped together with the barbarian rockers by some members of the jazz community.
I realize that the guitar was established as a solo jazz instrument prior to rock but I cant help but feel that rock created somewhat of a backlash against the guitar but players like Kenny,Wes,Herbie and Joe persevered and as a result of their efforts and the efforts of others the instrument is solidly established. The guitar is not for every jazz lover but hey that's cool. To each their own.