Is it legal to discriminate against LGBT?

Gay marriage may be legal in the majority of U.S. states, but the LGBT community still faces discrimination from businesses, many of which even refuse service or employment. Is this discrimination against LGBTs legal?

In some towns across the United States, local businesses are free to refuse employment to members of the LGBT community. There is no federal law that provides protection against discrimination for the LGBT community. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not mention any employment protection for people based on their sexual orientation. And every attempt to change the laws since 1975 have been stopped short of success.

However 21 states have laws that are enforcing more employment equality and prohibit sexual identity discrimination and 18 of those states also offer gender identity protection. However, half the country still don't have laws in place to offer equal protection for the LGBT community.

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