Thousands sign petition calling for end to '19 Kids and Counting' over 'homophobic fear mongering'
By RYAN GORMAN
Tens of thousands of people are calling for the cancellation of a popular reality show because the stars have spoken out against LGBT people.
The Change.org petition signed by nearly 90,000 people (as of Thursday morning) demands TLC remove "19 Kids and Counting" from its lineup immediately on grounds Jim and Michelle Duggar, both conservative Baptists, and their family are fear mongering against the community.
"The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people," Jim Wissick wrote on the petition.
"You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show."
A Michelle Duggar robocall trying to sway public opinion against an anti-transgendered discrimination bill is among the slights cited by Wissick.
"Males with past child predator convictions that claim they are female," Duggar insisted in the call. She also called for transgendered women to not be allowed in female restrooms.
A picture of the Duggars kissing to celebrate their wedding anniversary was posted last week to Facebook. John Becker, of LGBT blog The Bilerico Project, was banned from the page after posting a picture of him kissing his husband in the comments. The picture was also removed, Bilerico told E! News.
The Duggar offspring have also taken anti-gay positions in the past, and eldest son Josh Duggar currently works at an organization that routinely denounces gays.
The Family Research Council has previously linked homosexuality with pedophilia and also trumpets the use of anti-gay therapy as a solution to the "problems associated with homo sexual conduct."
"The Learning Channel & Discovery Networks need to separate [sic] themselves from this bigotry and put an end to the Duggar's show," says the petition.
Related links:
Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar recreate daughter's racy kissing photo
Jessa Duggar shares pic of intimate kiss with new husband
