U-Haul Takes Stand, Cuts All Ties With Homophobic Hardware Store Over ‘No Gays Allowed’ Sign

Yesterday, I told you that Jeff Amyx, owner of Amyx Hardware & Roofing Supplies in Washburn, Tennessee; chose a really crass way to protest the Supreme Court making marriage equality the law of the land. He put a big sign at the front of his store declaring, “No Gays Allowed.” Amyx, who is also a Baptist minister, made no bones about why he did this. He thinks homosexuality is against his religious beliefs, and wanted to let it be known that Christians have as much right to stand up for their beliefs as gays have to stand up for theirs.

The "No Gays Allowed" sign on the door of Amyx Hardware until Tuesday (courtesy WBIR-TV)
The “No Gays Allowed” sign on the door of Amyx Hardware until Tuesday (courtesy WBIR-TV)

While writing this up yesterday, I happened to notice something rather interesting on the Amyx Hardware Website. Specifically, it billed itself as a U-Haul dealer. When I saw this, it didn’t take long for me to realize that Amyx’ “No Gays Allowed” sign could potentially come back to haunt him sooner than anyone could have expected.

On paper, he would be well within his rights to turn gays away at the door, since Tennessee law does not protect gays and lesbians from this sort of discrimination. At the same time, though, I found it hard to believe that U-Haul would want anything to do with a blatantly homophobic business.

Well, my hunch was right. U-Haul spokesman Sebastien Reyes wrote Liberal America to condemn Amyx’ actions in the strongest possible terms, saying that Amyx and his hardware store “do not represent the attitudes and values of U-Haul Company.” Reyes also confirmed that Amyx had indeed been an independent U-Haul dealer, but parted ways with U-Haul sometime last year. He also assured us that U-Haul officials are working to “have any U-Haul affiliation removed from this business’ Website,” and let it be known that “discrimination has no place at U-Haul.” A-freaking-men.

Apparently Amyx got the hint loud and clear from U-Haul headquarters in Phoenix. As of early Wednesday night, this is what appears on his store’s Website:

Amyx Hardware Website

So let’s review. Amyx ended his relationship with U-Haul last year, but never thought about removing the U-Haul logos from his Website or telling whoever handled his Website to do so until now. And it took the discovery that he’s a stone-cold homophobe to make him remove those logos. You have to wonder–does he run his store the way he runs his Website?

On Tuesday, Amyx replaced the “No Gays Allowed” sign with one reading, “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who would violate our rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.” He told WATE-TV in Knoxville that some of his friends suggested he change the sign to “make it a little nicer,” though he says he has no regrets about putting it up.

Amyx also said that he’d treat gay customers with respect, though he warned that “I might preach to you a little while.” He told WVLT-TV in Knoxville that he would rather not have gays around him “because their lifestyle is what I disagree with,” he would welcome their business as long as they “behave.” Bear in mind–this guy thought it would be a good idea to put a “No Gays Allowed” sign on his door in the first place and has no regrets for doing so. You’d have to pardon any LGBT folks in this town northwest of Knoxville if they take Amyx’ words with a generous helping of salt.

This episode is probably the strongest argument yet for barring businesses from discriminating against people on account of sexual orientation. While U-Haul deserves hearty applause for taking a stand against Amyx’ naked homophobia, this incident should be a wake-up call to Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee General Assembly. No business can turn people away on account of race and do so with impunity. Why should a business be allowed to turn people away on account of sexual orientation?

Hopefully, there will come a day when people roll their eyes at homophobic businessmen the same way they roll their eyes at racist businessmen.

Darrell is a 30-something graduate of the University of North Carolina who considers himself a journalist of the old school. An attempt to turn him into a member of the religious right in college only succeeded in turning him into the religious right's worst nightmare--a charismatic Christian who is an unapologetic liberal. His desire to stand up for those who have been scared into silence only increased when he survived an abusive three-year marriage. You may know him on Daily Kos as Christian Dem in NC. Follow him on Twitter @DarrellLucus or connect with him on Facebook. Click here to buy Darrell a Mello Yello.