Tennessee hardware store posts 'no gays allowed' sign on front door

WASHBURN, Tenn. -- A Tennessee hardware store owner posted a sign on the front door of his business that reads "No Gays Allowed."

Jeff Amyx decided to post the sign after the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage.

"The reason I put up the sign is to let the homosexual people know that there are Christian people that are willing to take a stand," Amyx told ABC affiliate WATE-TV. "A lot of people have called me and congratulated me (and) people calling and threatening me telling me I would regret this. No, I'll never regret this."

Amyx eventually decided to replace the sign with a second one. It reads: "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who would violate our rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion." He says this one will stay up as long as he works there.

"Until they tell me it is illegal to have my freedom of speech and to my freedom of religion, the sign will stay," said Amyx.

The American Civil Liberties Union heard about the sign and issued this statement to WATE-TV:

"Gay and lesbian people are our neighbors, coworkers, family members and friends. When it comes to being able to be served by a business, they should be treated like anyone else. Religion should not be used as an excuse to discriminate against LGBT people. Businesses that are open to the public should be open to everyone on the same terms."

Amyx says he doesn't hate homosexual people, and he's even willing to preach to them if they do decide to come to his store.

"I don't hate people," Amyx said. "It's not the people I hate, it's the sin that I hate."