Jim Bob Duggar Responds - The patriarch of the Duggar family has revealed that he is not in the least concerned by the attempts of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activists to force TLC Cable Network to take his family's 19 Kids and Counting show off air.
While he was attending a banquet at the Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, Duggar and his wife Michelle fielded questions from journalists, according to The Pathway.
When asked about a Change.org petition to stop his family's 19 Kids and Counting show, Jim Bob Duggar responds by saying his detractors would not be successful. "Our show is the number one show on TLC," he reveals.
The petition, which has gotten up to 184,000 signatories, accuses the Duggars of misinforming and discriminating against LGBT persons. "The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgender people. You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show," it reads.
The petition in question quotes Michele Duggar expressing shock, while condemning a law that permits transgender women to use female public facilities in Fayetteville City, Arkansas.
The petition against the Duggars and their 19 Kids and Counting show has ignited a public debate. And it didn't take long before a counter-petition - apparently created by fans - showed up online.
While Jim Bob Duggar responded to his family critics, he expressed love for both his fans and detractors. He notes that the critics of 19 Kids and Counting are a small group. "All it has done is give us more exposure," he explains. "We've gained 50,000 Facebook fans last week. God is expanding our borders through the national media."
Fans of 19 Kids and Counting are anticipating the return of the show to television. Reports indicate that TLC cameras have been following the Duggars and preparing new material, which is expected to be aired next year. It is unclear what effect - if any - the condemnation by LGBT activists will have on the controversial show.
Jim Bob Duggar responds in a simple way to accusations that his family is discriminating against LGBT persons. "We love everybody, but we don't always agree with them," he explains.
