Lock selection so it doesn't accidentally gets unselected

I feel the need to have a way to affix the selection so it doesn't get unselected when moving, rotating and so. In 3dsmax, when you have a complex selection you have a lock that keeps objects selected. Blender uses another technique which is selecting with right click and moving with left click. Very often I try to move several objects at the same time and get frustrated by this. I know we can make groups, but that's not exactly the same, besides, making groups changes the layer to which objects belong to when ungrouped.
I hope it's at least half clear.
Thanks!