Don't hate the hater. It will only make you spiteful and angry at the world. A lesson I take a long time to learn was that, whatever the views people feel strongly about (politics, racism, religion, sexual behavior, ..) does not mean they cannot be intelligent, caring and nice people otherwise. Don't listen when they talk about their hate. Don't argue with them, You wont change them. Try to get them to talk about something else. May be you like the same music, fiction book, sport team, food, etc.. If you debate them, or even just resent them, you'll be miserable. You deserve better.
I agree with your sentiment, but I'd like to make sure of something: What if they talk constantly about it and there's no way I can escape it without leaving the generally well-intent, if apathetic, group?Don't listen when they talk about their hate.