Then I have to patronize businesses that don't discriminate against me. Problem solved
And what if there aren't any?
Then I'll think any business that actually does so is run by a dickhead and I'll probably go on social media to complain about them.
And because you aren't a minority who is routinely discriminated against, it will only be this one business refusing you, rather than the majority of them. And someone might actually listen to you complain on the internet. That's not an option if you're in a small minority.
No one should be forced to sell anything to anyone. A free market is all about voluntary exchange.
We don't have a free market in this country. We have a regulated market. We're sensible that way.
For most businesses, the ones run by rational owners, the only color that matters is green.
And yet there were many many businesses throughout history who have been quite happy not to take money from a group they didn't like. The notion that everyone is driven solely by pecuniary gain is silly and has never reflected reality.
I am an atheist in a mixed race marriage and I think private, non-essential businesses should be able to discriminate for whatever stupid reason they want. And we have the right to publicly shame them out of business. I sure don't want a theocracy.
And what do you do when this discrimination is not something they're ashamed of? What if it is the consensus of the majority of society? It's easy to say you don't need the protection of the law when everyone around you will protect you without it, but what happens when they won't?
Yes,and if a business owner does not want to do business that facilitates what he considers wrong behavior, then he is discriminated against by the government.
What's odd here is that my argument favors allowing private parties, including businesses, to discriminate based on their personal beliefs. The opposing argument favors allowing government to discriminate. The real evil is when government discriminates
A belief is not an identity. Discrimination based on identity is prohibited. Opinions are not protected. Identity is. If every single Christian (or even the vast majority) held such a strong position against homosexuality, then you might have an argument that avoiding contact with gays might be an intrinsic part of the religion. But this is clearly not the case. That you or anyone else attributes their opinion on someone else to a religious origin does not grant them or their opinion special protection. The real evil, as you put it, is when society discriminates and ostracizes people merely over who they are. It doesn't matter whether it is backed with the force of law or simply popular consensus. It's still wrong and we do not permit it in our country.
I don't profess to be a US Constitution expert, but doesn't the Commerce Clause give government the right to do just that - determine the laws and regulations under which intrastate and interstate commerce may be conducted?
Only interstate. However, changes in technology since 1789 have made nearly all commerce interstate in nature. Even the smallest local business relies on a great deal of interstate (and often international) shipping and manufacturing.
Better yet, let's quit trying to pretend that the anti-discrimination laws are anything but intolerant bigotry
Spoken like someone who has never and will never suffer actual bigotry in their lives.
If I can get booted out simply for being legally armed, then others can get booted out simply for being gay. Isn't Equality™ grand?
Guns aren't people. You're quite free to go anywhere you want. You can't bring a horse into a business either. Is that discrimination against pro-horse people? No. Just leave your guns and your horse at home. A person can't leave their race, gender, or sexuality at home.