WASHINGTON — More than 80,000 people have signed a petition to take TLC’s
“19 Kids and Counting” off the air because of the family’s anti-LGBT
sentiments.
Jim Wissick of San Jose, California, launched a petition on Change.org urging
TLC to cancel the show starring Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar as well as their
19 kids.
Wissick says the Baptist family promotes LGBT “fear mongering.”
“The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and
fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people,” the petition says to
TLC. “You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show.”
The petition has more than 83,400 signatures as of Thursday morning. Wissick
says he is aiming to get 100,000 backers.
The petition points to Michelle’s involvement in a robocall opposing Arkansas’
anti-discrimination bill. The bill aimed to address complaints from residents
in the county who suffered discrimination pertaining to housing, employment,
and other public accommodations, The Huffington Post reports.
Below the text of the robocall, according to Huffington Post.
Hello, this is Michelle Duggar. I’m calling to inform you of some shocking
news that would affect the safety of Northwest Arkansas women and children.
The Fayetteville City Council is voting on an ordinance this Tuesday night
that would allow men – yes, I said men – to use women’s and girls’ restrooms,
locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas and other areas that are designated for
females only. I don’t believe the citizens of Fayetteville would want males
with past child predator convictions that claim they are female to have a
legal right to enter private areas that are reserved for women and girls. I
doubt that Fayetteville parents would stand for a law that would endanger
their daughters or allow them to be traumatized by a man joining them in their
private space. We should never place the preference of an adult over the
safety and innocence of a child. Parents, who do you want undressing next to
your daughter at the public swimming pool’s private changing area?
The Duggar’s recent Facebook post also is drawing scrutiny from the LGBT
community.
A photo of the couple kissing is upsetting those who don’t think marriage is
limited “a husband and a wife,” as the post says.
The “19 Kids and Counting” franchise began in 2008 when it was just “17 Kids
and Counting.” It started its ninth season in September.
TLC representatives have not commented on the petition.
However, in response, someone has also started a petition
in support of the Duggars.
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