A petition to keep "19 Kids and Counting" on air has gathered over 51 thousand signatures since its launch Thursday, Nov. 19. The petition, titled "Keep the Duggars on TLC," is in response to another ongoing petition aiming to get the reality TV show cancelled.
The Duggar family came under fire last August for their alleged stance against the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community.
Family matriarch Michelle Duggar was singled out for allegedly warning residents of Fayetteville of an ordinance that would allow transgenders to use female facilities, thus affecting the safety of kids and women. Michelle, according to a transcript of a recording, cited that this would give individuals who are essentially men — even those with a history of child molestation — the right to enter and use restrooms, showers, and other private areas reserved solely for females. In reaction, a member of the LGBTQ community launched the "End LGBTQ fear mongering by the Duggars" campaign.
Part of the petition reads, "Duggar words reek of ignroance and fear mongering. 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 ignornace and hatred."
The flame was fanned further when, more recently, the Duggar mom of 19 reportedly took down kissing photos of same-sex couples on the family's official Facebook page. The photos were initially posted in response to Michelle's invitation to fans to submit their pictures kissing their significant other, similar to that of her and husband Jim Bob's and newlyweds Jessa and Ben Seewald's.
The petition to cancel the show has gathered over 150,000 signatures so far.
"The Duggar Family is under attack from anti-marriage advocates for standing for traditional marriage," the pro-Duggar petition reads. "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."
