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After years of people discussing the Duggar Family’s anti-LGBT+ endorsements and sentiments, 161,571 people (as of Sunday) have pledged to do something about it.
Although it was originally created in September 2014, a Change.org petition has gained traction and media attention over this past weekend with the number of signees reaching over 100,000. The petition demands that The Learning Channel & Discovery Networks (TLC) separate themselves from the family and cancel their show due to their anti-LGBT views and actions.
Jim Wissick, the petition’s creator, specifically calls for an end to the family’s fear-mongering tactics. The petition notes three particular instances.
The Duggars donated $10,000 to help fight a new Civil Rights Administration ordinance in Fayetteville, North Carolina, which prevents landlords and business owners from evicting and firing people based on sexual orientation and sexual identity.
Earlier this year, Michelle Duggar participated in a campaign against gender neutral bathrooms. She recorded a robotic message which was sent out to voters in Arkansas.
In the call, she says, ‘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 girl’s 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.’
Last year, Josh Duggar took a position with the Family Research Council. According to The LGBT Update, Duggar became the Executive Director of the organization’s Action Arm. The organization, which was labelled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2010, is known for equating homosexuality with bestiality, incest and pedophilia.
Note: He also lead a rally against same sex marriage last Wednesday, according to multiple sources.
This is not the petition gaining traction, however. Fans of the show, who started a petition supporting the family, have also seen a dramatic increase in signees.
The petition reads:
The Duggar Family is under attack from anti-marriage advocates for standing for traditional marriage. We commend The Duggar Family for their brave stand in defending marriage as ordained by God between one man and one woman. No individual’s sexual behavior and chosen lifestyle has the right to redefine marriage.
Sign our petition today to let TLC know that you support the Duggars’ stand for traditional marriage.
The petition is making reference to an incident where Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar challenged marriage fans to post a photo of them kissing on their Facebook. Controversy came when it was alleged Michelle deleted the pictures of married same-sex couples.
The petition had 54,429 signatures as of Sunday, which far exceeds its goal of 1,000 – but falls short of the 161,571 signatures denouncing the family for the same attitudes.
