“I’ve read my Bible, and he says it’s wrong,” he said. “There is something wrong with it, and I want people to know that. Just because it is legal doesn’t make it right.”

He also said that being gay is a choice: “I think that they [gays and lesbians] believe that they were born that way. I don’t think they were born that way. It’s a choice. It’s always been a choice.

“Everybody has that same choice available to them. You’re born black or white or yellow or brown, but you’re not born gay. You choose that. And I can back that up with a number of different references in the Bible.”

Some of those who object to the billboard said they believe the message shows intolerance and creates a negative impression of the area.

“I’m embarrassed and ashamed that our city without limits is allowing such a narrow-minded ideal to be publicly displayed on one of our main roads,” said Lara Blair Keatts, 34, of Cascade, who is married. “Prejudice of any kind, especially homophobia, has no place in our community.”

Becky Wilson of Collinsville. 37, a lifelong resident of Martinsville who identifies as a heterosexual, said she believes the billboard “sends a message that the city/county isn’t an inclusive place to operate a business or live.”