There are plenty of ordinary people that e.g. prefer one religion to other or believe in traditional gender roles. Some of those people believe they should be able to express those opinions in the same way people express opinions about diversity or equality regardless if other people considered those opinions e.g. sexist. I happen to disagree with those people, but I wouldn't consider their opinions less serious.

So you wouldn't consider an opinion 'less serious' if the opinion is that directness and honesty is identical to saying racist, sexist, and homophobic things? Because that's what we're talking about, and I would absolutely write that off as 100% nonsense. Just because someone believes in something doesn't mean it's not stupid.

Because we have to deal with them on a daily basis and they have political power? I’m not sure how you’re defining “not serious”.

Who are these people? Do you have names? I don't see this at all in people with political power. Who are you 'dealing with on a daily basis'?