Michigan Diesel Shop Refuses To Serve Openly Gay Customers
What does a diesel shop in Michigan have in common with a Washingtonian florist and a Hoosier pizza hut? An owner who refuses to serve openly gay customers.
WOOD-TV reports the owner of Grandville, Mich.-based Dieseltec, Brian Klawiter, posted a statement to his shop’s Facebook page Tuesday regarding his view that those with conservative, Christian values are being drowned out by those who don’t hold those values. Said statement includes the following passage:
I am a Christian. My company will be run in a way that reflects that. Dishonesty, thievery, immoral behavior, etc. will not be welcomed at MY place of business. (I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period. 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.)
When interviewed by the NBC affiliate, Klawiter said that while he’d fix a vehicle in need of repair, he would not welcome a gay male couple openly displaying their affection in his shop, proclaiming he and his shop doesn’t believe in homosexuality. Klawiter adds that he isn’t going to ask customers about their sexuality, while also reaffirming his stance on PDAs by same-sex couples.
Asked to view his post from the eyes of a gay individual, he said he would find the statement of belief “enlightening,” and that he would cross off Dieseltec from his list of shops.
UPDATE: And just like the aforementioned theoretical gay customer — and myself, if I had diesel business in the first place — Cummins wants no part of Dieseltec. Per their Twitter to another consumer who noted the engine manufacturer’s support of the LGBT community:
Diversity = our core values. We have no affiliation with this business and are notifying them to stop using our logo.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Perhaps where we differ is on identifying this as a civil rights issue. As you mention the 60s I would take it that you are referring to the discrimination against people of color. Blacks, as they are sometimes referred to, have no choice as to what conditions they were born into as a baby - not their skin color, social standing, where they lived, etc. As of this date there is no credible scientific evidence to suggest or prove that a person is "born" a homosexual - especially in the bio-physical aspect. It is a choice. Comparing the discrimination of someone with no choice in their life circumstances to a person with a choice in those same circumstances is invalid in my mind. If you know of scientific studies and/or evidence that I may be unaware of I would appreciate your direction to such sources. Again, I appreciate your thoughtful response, agree with much you have shared and have enjoyed this discourse.
You have made a huge assumption in your last paragraph. I do not and will not "withhold _ compassion for certain people" with the possible exception of a sexual predator of children who may or may not eventually murder their victims. It would be hard for me to have compassion on such. I am certain you understand the concept of self deception. Is it not possible the individuals who consider it a choice are lying to themselves to make them "comfortable" (for lack of a better term) with the lifestyle they have chosen? Understand, I am saying possible. I do not know that any of these individuals are knowingly doing so. It is just as possible that I am way off base on this. In a certain respect one would have to determine what is normative sexual orientation. From my limited 62 years on this planet I would conclude that heterosexual orientation to be normative and, from a purely biological aspect, the way humans were meant to interact in the area of sexual behavior. Other behaviors would be abnormal or, to put it another way, against natural design. Either way, the onus is on those who say it's not a choice to prove it to be so. Since scientific evidence is what most people would accept as authoritative, that is where the proof must come from. Until it does, I have to stick to my conclusion that it is a choice until evidence is provided to the contrary. I understand you would not agree. I respect that. The "so many" you refer to account for, at most, 3% of our population for those who self-identify as homosexual. I include this for informational reasons NOT to say it's insignificant. Due to the skewed representation of the gay community in our media - where upwards of 20 to 40% the people portrayed are gay - the public perception is that there is a much higher percentage of our population that is gay then there truly is. It is exaggerated at best, propaganda at worst. I've known a few gay individuals also. When they have been totally honest with me they have admitted the only "part" of their sexual activity that is pleasurable is when they are on the "giving" end and not the "receiving" end referring to anal intercourse. That,of course, was from males I've known. I cannot speak to the female side of this. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the time you took to respond and your insight.