Posted on 04/16/2015 9:45:08 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) — The owner of a Grandville auto repair shop says he won’t hesitate “to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons.”
Brian Klawiter, the owner of Dieseltec on Ottawa Avenue in Grandville, posted the statement to his company’s Facebook page on Tuesday because he says the voices of those who have Christian, conservative values are often overshadowed by those who do not.
“I want to have a voice about this,” Klawiter told 24 Hour News 8 Wednesday. “I want to be heard about this… It’s challenging to decide to say I’m on the opposing side of what’s seen as the popular view.”
The post in question starts with “Enough is enough.”
“Apparently if you are white (or close to it), you have a job, go to church, and own a gun…That translates into racist, privileged, bigot… Our rights as conservative Americans are being squashed more and more everyday…” the post reads in part.
The line that’s drawing the most conversation is the one that addresses “openly gay” individuals.
“I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period,” Klawiter wrote. “If you want to argue this fact with me then I will put your vehicle together with all bolts and no nuts and you can see how that works.”
The post had gotten a couple dozen comments and about two dozen shares as of Wednesday evening. Many commenters criticized his views, but some were supportive.
While Klawiter acknowledges that the post could be viewed as offensive, he says he doesn’t regret writing it.
“I think I exercised a little more freedom than I would on a news broadcast,” Klawiter said of his post, adding that he didn’t expect the post to get the attention it has. “If you have a vehicle that needs to be repaired, we’d be happy to do that for you. But if you want to come in here with your boyfriend and you want to openly display that, that’s just not going to be tolerated here. We don’t believe that here.”
Klawiter says he isn’t asking clientele about their sexuality, but is emphatic that he won’t tolerate “outward” affectionate behavior between same-sex couples.
Asked to consider his post from the eyes of a person who is gay, Klawiter responded:
“I think it would be made pretty clear to me that I’m not welcome there, which I would almost consider that enlightening. I would know exactly where not to go.”
Discrimination based on sexual orientation has not been outlawed in Michigan, though several municipalities have local ordinances on the matter. Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids are among the West Michigan cities that have ordinances that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Grandville, however, has no such ordinance.
Grandville Mayor Steve Maas said he’s open to discussing one, but that the citizens would have to ask for it.
“There are many people who have deeply held, sincerely held, very conservative religious and political beliefs. But on the other hand, that same group of people is a very kind group of people that does not tolerate bigotry and intolerance, so it would be very interesting to see that debate,” Maas said.
Klawiter is among those who doesn’t think the city should have a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation.
“I’ve chosen to put God first in my life and that he owns everything in me and my business and beyond,” Klawiter said. “Since that becomes a priority, I can’t sacrifice on those morals.”
It seems some on here don’t know openly homosexual and think the man should shut up and bow down to the homostapo.
I’m sure they will find another place to get a lube...
That is really good!
It won't be shut down but I'm sure it's going to take a hit. So if God ownes everything in him and his business then may have to explain the loss in revenue to the Almighty.
Been noticing a good deal of that lately.
Just trying to find out what sins he's fine with and what sins he isn't.
” I really don’t know if anyone is homosexual unless I see him committing sodomy,”
Well, then you never worked in a movie studio in Hollywood.
About one out of three are Rangers of the Rump : )
Denies service to Prius drivers.
Not if they were bragging about infidelity or openly sexual with their wife....of course, not. Sexual behavior doesn’t belong in public-—in the public square...and displaying the act of sodomy is beyond vulgar and evil, as all desacralization of the sex act which reduces man to animal....as does men lusting after men. It is unnatural, evil, and warping of Life’s Purpose (Reason).
All Justice Systems promote only Virtue and Right Reason-—never Vice or irrational, evil acts like sodomy. As Cicero stated-—when laws promote evil or vice-—then it will end in chaos and tyranny only.
As Nuremberg Trials and MLK, Jr. stated-—all Just Laws promote “public virtue” only, in a civil society.
All unjust law is “null and void” according to Justice John Marshall. As St. Thomas A. stated, “When Law ceases to be Just (virtuous), it ceases to e Law”.
As our Founding Documents are based on “..the Laws of Nature and Naturel’s God”—all Law which removes Reason and “Purpose of Life/Nature” from Law——it is no “law” at all (unconstitutional).
I fail to see the wisdom in this
Levin waxed on this yesterday with his anonymity of capitalism screed
Of course...the free advertising is worth whatever you say. This guy is probably praying that the homofascists boycott his business!
Ever thought maybe he is pissed off and speaking out unlike so many who remain cowards and would rather just shut up and go along with what the homostapo wants them too?
If that business owner just put up a sign that says “no PDAs in this establishment, please”, instead of going to farcebook to max the attention factor, he would have done a better thing, since that is totally fair to everyone.
There are signs in just about every business here warning “no shirt no shoes, no service”, or the usual “we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone”-no one thinks anything of it-it is the owners’ choice who he/she wishes to provide services to.
Moron. In fact, so moronic one has to wonder if, like the Westboro Baptist Church, he’s a lefty out to make Christians look like morons.
exactly
Seems people who stand up for their rights and beliefs are not just attacked by the left but now by some on our side.
Land of the free and brave.
That ship has sailed for most folks because the brave are few and far between.
The man has made his point, if more stood up like him instead of being cowards than the homostapo would not be where they are today in their NAZI tactics.
Why is he a moran?
Because he spoke how he feels and is pissed off with how the founding of this country is attacked and the way the homosexuals demand they have special rights.
Maybe if people stopped being cowards and stood by him we would not be in this mess today. No it[]s easier to attack him because one might now be called a name then.
SARC
Yep, I agree with you. That's what I'm getting; some here just think we should just shut up and bow down - I'm not shuttin' up nor bowing.
My question is whether he is willing to post a sign in his shop saying no gay clientele are allowed? Becuase he seems pretty mealy-mouthed in some of his responses. He seems to be saying it’s OK if gay patrons kind of sneak in, but in the next sentence he’s saying no gay people are welcome, period. He owes it to homosexuals to be clear on what is allowed and what isn’t.
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