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World Goes Bonkers On Antigay Michigan Repairman

World Goes Bonkers On Antigay Michigan Repairman

Dieseltec-x400

After proudly declaring he won't serve gay people, Brian Klawiter's past gets dug up.

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Brian Klawiter, the owner of an auto repair shop in Grandville, Mich., who made a statement on Facebook that he won't serve gay customers, apparently has no business license, reports LGBT blog the New Civil Rights Movement. To obtain a license, inspectors would have to visit Klawiter's property, which he refuses to allow because he believes it's a violation of the Constitution.

That's just one of many things about the right-wing gearhead that have been dug up after his antigay, pro-gun rant. An unverified tweet said Klawiter was previously arrested for battery. Meanwhile, Cummins, a manufacturer of engines and engine parts used by Klawiter's business (which publicly opposed Indiana's "License to Discriminate" law) told him to stop using their logo at his shop. To add insult to injury, a bankruptcy lawyer offered his services to Klawiter -- in anticipation of his business going belly up. Others protested outside the shop, while a bisexual man threw eggs at the business.

In what may have been an effort to emulate the massively successful fundraiser for Walkerton, Indiana's Memories Pizza -- which became the flashpoint in a national debate over the state's newly passed "religious freedom" law -- that raised nearly a million dollars for the family-run pizzeria that proclaimed it would not cater a gay wedding, someone reportedly set up a GoFundMe page for Dieseltec.

The Michigan repair shop's GoFundMe page was quickly removed, notes NCRM -- but not before it garnered a single $5 donation, from a woman named Holli Biggs, who included the following note with her donation:

"I'm legally married to another woman, and a proud parent to 3 beautiful little girls that i have taken in as my own...I want to be the first one to donate to this because you are going to need it in time to provide for yours. Will you except my money? Or is it too gay for you?"

Other reactions have been scarier, according to another Facebook post by Klawiter: "Listen up folks, If you have an opposing view to mine that IS OK, what is NOT OK is threats to kill me, my family, and friends; threats to burn down my shop and my home. I will stand firm on my views and will not back down."

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.