and for good reason. Segregation and denying service because you hate a race is one thing. The constitution does not and cannot make that a "right". However, exercising my religious beliefs is a constitutionally protected right and that right is under attack. If the Equality Act becomes law, it is a matter of time before the LDS Church is sued for not allowing a gay couple to get married in the temple, or a bishop to get sued for not wanting to officiate a gay wedding. Living according to one's religious beliefs is a founding doctrine of our country. The constitution states freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion (I realize you are not advocating that), but those who feel their life choices are not accepted by any religious group act like they have the right to deny the followers of that religion their constitutional rights to live and worship according to the dictates of their own conscience.

I have friends and family who identify as LGBT, some very active in the Church. But they do not force others to accept their choices. We love and respect each other while still having differences of opinions on some topics. People are free to make what choices they want, however they are not free to force their choice upon me or take away my constitutional rights in order for them to exercise their choices. That is a founding principle of a constitutional republic, it balances out the rights of a diverse group. Once we let any one group, for any reason, begin to force their views on the general population, we are sliding fast down a steep and dangerous slope.