GRANDVILLE, Mich. -- A couple of weeks after a business owner in Grandville posted controversial statements on Facebook, refusing service to gay customers, community members are putting pressure on the city council to put an non-discrimination ordinance to the books. A proposal for a new ordinance covering regarding covering businesses was not introduced on Monday, but the city did pass a motion that supports the "fair treatment of everyone."
Residents who spoke urged city leaders to support equal rights.
The City of Grandville said that if it was to pass such an ordinance, it would be their responsibility to pay for the prosecution and court costs for any business that violates the policy, and the cost could be overwhelming for a city the size of Grandville.
This was all sparked by an April 14 Facebook post by Grandville mechanic Brian Klawiter where he said that homosexuals were not welcome at his business.
Klawiter posted again on Facebook on April 26 to say that a sin is a sin, and he isn't only targeting homosexuals with his beliefs.
The Grandville city council did passed a motion statng the city supports individual rights and fair treatment of everyone.
"My personal opinion is our silence has been definite," said Mayor Steve Maas.\ "There will be people who criticize this group if we say nothing. There will be people who criticize this group because if we don't tonight enact an LGBT ordinance."
"I got an email from a friend of mine who I went to high school with, currently lives in Texas," said resident Karilyn Frederick. "He is gay. The opening part was, 'My God, is Grandville still that backwards?'"
"No citizen should have to live in fear because of who they are," said Rev. Linda Looney. "All Michigan residents should have an equal opportunity to work hard and protect their families."
Several council members also said that they'd like more time as the city looks at options when it comes to protecting people from being discriminated against in Grandville.
