I was always stumped as to why gays would even want to be part of a religion that despises them.  As you've clearly stated, if there was no religious doctrine encouraging hatred towards homosexuals, we'd be on the clear road to equal rights. 

Out of all the nonsense that religion espouses, this one always blows my mind.  I really think a person's sexual choice is really their own business and not that of the church or state.  I mean that in a completely 'adult consensual' context, so for all you theists out there, please don't throw in the tired false argument of 'homosexuals are pedophiles'.