Michelle Duggar Blasted For "LGBTQ Fear Mongering": Petition to Cancel 19 Kids and Counting Gains 75,000 Signatures

Still at it! The Duggar family upset members of the LGBTQ community last week when they allegedly deleted pictures of same-sex couples from their Facebook kissing post, and now people are fighting to get their show, 19 Kids and Counting, pulled off the air.

A Change.org petition was started to cancel the hit TLC show after matriarch Michelle Duggar allegedly recorded a robocall this past summer for the people of Fayetteville, Ark., asking that they vote to repeal a law that would forbid business owners and landlords from evicting and firing people based on their gender identity. Started in August, the petition gained momentum this week, reaching close to 75,000 supporters. 

PHOTOS: Duggar Family Photo Album: 19 Kids and Counting

According to the petition, which was started by a man named Jim Wissick, Michelle recorded a message that suggests that transgender people and members of the LGBTQ community are also predators and rapists. 

"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," Duggar reportedly says in the recording. "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."

PHOTOS: Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald's Sweetest Instagram Shots

In a post about the call on the Change.org petition, Wissick proceeds to bash the noted Independent Baptist, saying her words "reek of ignorance and fear mongering."

"Just because someone is transgendered doesn't mean they are a child predator or a rapist," Wissick writes. "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." 

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Duggars Backlash: Fans Create Counter-Petition to Save 19 Kids and Counting

Not going down without a fight! A  Michelle Duggar fan page shared a counter-petition to save her family's show 19 Kids and Counting on Thursday, Nov. 19. Earlier this week, a Change.org petition was started to cancel the TLC series after Michelle allegedly asked Fayetteville, Ark. residents to vote to repeal a law that condemns property and business owners to oust or fire people based on their gender identity.

PHOTOS: Duggar family album

"The Duggar Family is under attack from anti-marriage advocates for standing for traditional marriage," the Ipetitions.com note reads, posted to Michelle Duggar fan Facebook page. "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."

PHOTOS: Jessa Duggar and Ben's album

It adds: "Sign our petition today to let TLC know that you support the Duggars' stand for traditional marriage."

As of Friday, Nov. 21, the petition has received over 6,000 signatures. The Change.org petition, that hopes to get rid of the reality family, has gained over 130,000 supporters since its release on Aug. 20. See the Duggar kissing photo that led to the controversial contest.

PHOTOS: Jill Duggar's wedding album

Michelle and her husband Jim Bob — thanks again to their stance on same-sex couples and LGBTQ rights — have also come under fire recently in what was supposed to be a fun experiment. After challenging married fans to post a kissing picture on her Facebook, Michelle allegedly deleted those that were sent in by same-sex couples.

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/michelle-duggar-shares-counter-petition-to-save-19-kids-and-counting-20142111#ixzz3Jli969R5
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Arkansas Supreme Court takes up gay marriage case

By Andrew Demillo    Associated Press   Published: Thursday, Nov. 20 2014 11:43 a.m. MST

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Supreme Court justices questioned Thursday whether banning gay marriage is constitutional just because voters approved it a decade ago, even if the restriction conflicts with rights outlined in the state's constitution.

Opponents and supporters of the 2004 constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and woman embarked on a day of back-to-back hearings in federal and state courts. Voters approved the ban by a 3-1 margin.

"This court should defer to the Democratic process and defer to the voters of Arkansas, and hold that there is no fundamental right to same-sex marriage," Assistant Attorney General Colin Jorgensen told the high court.

But at least two members of the court expressed skepticism about that argument, with one questioning whether it would allow the state to enforce prohibitions against other minority groups.

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My view: We must protect religious schools from legal threats

By Michael Worley

For the Deseret News

Published: Friday, Nov. 7 2014 2:43 p.m. MST

In recent parallel actions, accreditation bodies in Massachusetts and British Columbia moved toward threatening Christian universities because they believe sexual relations are only proper between a married man and woman.

In Massachusetts, the accreditation body known as the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education has required Gordon College to submit a report on whether “the College’s policies and processes are non-discriminatory.” Since the college has a policy of upholding marriage and sexual relations as described by Christian theology, the message is clear: weaken the policy or have your accreditation stripped. Such a move would diminish the ability of graduates of Gordon College to find placement following graduation. Gordon College will presumably have limited legal recourse should it lose its accreditation.

Likewise in British Columbia, an accreditation body is refusing to accredit Trinity Western as a new law school. The objection to the law school? Stating sexual relations are only proper between a married man and woman as a school-wide value. As one commentator summarized, “approval from the legal profession in B.C. [requires ending] discipline or expulsion of students and staff for private sexual activity is unacceptable.” In other words: to teach law, you have to leave your religious views out of it. With the reputation lawyers have, one would think they need more religion, not less. Without the Law Society’s endorsement, the law school’s students will likely be unable to practice law.

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What will the latest same-sex marriage ruling mean for Utah?

By Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News

Published: Friday, Nov. 7 2014 

SALT LAKE CITY — This week's 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding bans on same-sex marriage in four states could lead to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on whether Utah and other states have the final say on the issue.

"I think there's a great chance we're going to get a resolution," said Bill Duncan, Sutherland Institute director of the Center for Family and Society, and a "good chance" of seeing a ruling that spells out that states can prohibit same-sex unions.

"It's not a given, but it's a possibility. So hope is now alive for that position again," Duncan said. He said Utahns on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate should be excited about getting an answer from the high court.

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Federal appeals court rules for gay marriage bans

By Dan Sewell, Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Nov. 6 2014 3:30 p.m. MST

CINCINNATI — A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld anti-gay marriage laws in four states, breaking ranks with other courts that have considered the issue and setting up the prospect of Supreme Court review.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that heard arguments on gay marriage bans or restrictions in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee on Aug. 6 split 2-1, with Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton writing the majority opinion. The ruling creates a divide among federal appeals courts, increasing the likelihood the Supreme Court will now take up the issue.

The ruling concluded that states have the right to set rules for marriage.

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My View: Children need mother and father

By Jennifer Brown

For the Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Oct. 30 2014 2:20 p.m. MDT

As I have raised my own children, I have been amazed at the very different but essential roles my husband and I both play in our sons’ lives.

As I have raised my own children, I have been amazed at the very different but essential roles my husband and I both play in our sons’ lives. He fulfills needs that I am not capable of satisfying. I, on the other hand, am able to nurture them in a way that is unique to a mother.

I always knew that men and women were very different. This was reiterated after we started having children. It was interesting the different ways we interacted with our babies.

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