YouTuber says he's paid for Hell, renamed town 'Gay Hell'

A comedian, rapper and YouTuber said he's the new owner of Hell, Michigan.

Detroit-born Elijah Daniel tweeted that "as of (Monday,) I am now the owner of Hell, Michigan. I bought the whole town."

Hell is an unincorporated community in Putnam Township in Livingston County. It's about 15 miles northwest of Ann Arbor and about 60 miles west of Detroit. 

Daniel, who is also a music producer, songwriter and author, said he bought the town because Trump's administration put a ban on embassy’s flying pride flags ahead of pride month.

The comedian also changed his Twitter bio to say "owner of Gay Hell, Mi. i make music & lead the gay mafia. 1/2 @adamandsteve. i also own @gaykushLA."

He also said "And my first act as owner, I have renamed my town to Gay Hell, MI."

Daniel has mandated the only the only flags allowed to fly are pride.

"Gay Hell, Mi has everything," he tweeted. "A library, a place to lock your love in Gay Hell, and even a WEDDING CHAPEL TO GET GAY MARRIED IN HELL!"

John Colone, the owner of Hell, confirmed Tuesday that Daniel purchased the community.

"For a handshake and a smile, he bought it for three days," he said. "He bought uptown, midtown and downtown Hell."

Colone, who grew up in Hell, said the You Tube star called him last week and told him about his plan to buy Hell and visit on Monday.

He said people's response to Daniel's purchase of the town has been tremendous.

"We have one T-shirt that has a rainbow on it and says 'Everyone is welcome in Hell,'" Colone said. "Since about 3 p.m. Monday, we've sold about 67 online."   

According to Hell, Michigan's official website, anyone can buy and own a square inch of Hell for $9.99. Owners are given deeds with their names on it.

It also said the town was first settled in 1838 by George Reeves as a grist mill and general store on the banks of what is now called Hell Creek. Reeves penchant for paying grain farmers with home distilled whiskey led many wives to respond “He’s gone to Hell again” when questioned about their husband’s whereabouts during harvest time. The name stuck and “Hell” became an official town in 1841.

"When you've got a town called Hell, you can't be like every other town in the country," Colone said. "We're all welcome in Hell."

cramirez@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @CharlesERamirez