More than 120,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the popular 19 Kids and Counting reality show to be dropped by the The Learning Channel network.
The author of the petition on change.org, Jim Wissick, claims that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar use their fame "to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people".
It stems from the family's outspoken opposition to a city ordinance in Fayetteville, Arkansas, that provides civil rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people and is similar to an ordinance in Houston that has met widespread opposition from conservatives. Michelle Duggar recorded a robocall that says: "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 womens 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."
Wissick wrote: "Just because someone is transgendered doesn't mean they are a child predator or a rapist. The claim that this ordinance would provide predators with access to women's restrooms in order to assault or leer at girls or women is nothing more than fear-mongering and spreading ignorance and hatred.
"Transgender people – who are far more likely to be the victims of harassment and violence if forced to use a bathroom that is inconsistent with their gender identity or expression – deserve to have the ability to use the bathroom in peace and safety."
He also criticised their son Josh for taking a position at the Family Research Council, noting that the Southern Poverty Law Centre labelled it a "hate group" for its "dissemination of false and demonising propaganda about gays and lesbians".
Counter-petitions in support of the Duggars have been launched. One launched on November 20 at LifeSiteNews.com received more than 40,000 signatures in only a day. According to that petition, "We need to launch a counter-attack, letting TLC know that the American people stand by the Duggars and their defense of traditional family values. Rather than being extreme, the Duggars represent the majority of people in state after state who have stood up for the traditional family. The real extremists are those who are demanding that a TV network penalize America's beloved family because they support the truth about family, which they have always expressed in a loving, compassionate fashion."
Another petition says: "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."
Top conservative leaders have urged Duggar fans to rise up and support America's most-beloved large family.
This includes TV stars David and Jason Benham, former Fox News contributor Steven Crowder, American Family Association President Tim Wildmon, Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor, radio talk show host Alice Stewart, Father Shenan Boquet of Human Life International and American Thinker deputy editor Drew Belsky.
"The world needs MORE families like the Duggars to be featured in media, not fewer," said Father Boquet. "Their joyful, selfless, and sacrificial love for one another has warmed millions of hearts, and has certainly caused untold numbers to reconsider their decision to live in an intentionally sterile marriage."
According to the Benham Brothers, the Duggars face "the same intolerant agenda that attacked our family."
"The Duggars have always been an example of Christian love for each other and society," said the Benham Brothers. "It's time for Americans to stand with them against this latest manifestation of anti-Christian bullying."
"Silencing those who disagree flies in the face of the 'free and open' mantra we often hear from the folks who want adult male strangers joining your young daughter in the bathroom," said Belsky. "But this is how 'tolerance' and 'open-mindedness' play out for a movement insisting that concrete concepts – like 'man' and 'woman' – can mean anything one chooses."
Wildmon was likewise critical, saying that "the homosexual lobby is intolerant of opposing views and castigates anyone who doesn't wholly embrace their lifestyle. TLC should reject the petition."
