The star of a popular, long-running TLC reality show has recorded an anti-trans robocall to fight an Arkansas LGBT non-discrimination ordinance.
In 2008 the Duggar family landed in America’s living rooms. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (image), Independent Baptists, now have 19 children, hence the current name of their popular reality show, “19 Kids and Counting,” which is aired by the TLC Network. TLC, which reaches almost 98 million American households, is owned by Discovery Communications. In turn, Discovery, an international media conglomerate, reaches 1.5 billion subscribers. Animal Planet is a popular Discovery network.
But back to the Duggars.
The extra-large family lives in Tontitown, Arkansas, just 11 miles from Fayetteville.Â
Tonight, the Fayetteville City Council is scheduled to vote on a non-discrimination ordinance, like many cities and towns of all sizes across the nation have.
Michelle Duggar has recorded what a transphobic robocall to fight the ordinance.
“Hello, this is Michelle Duggar,” Michelle says in this recording first published by Good As You’s Jeremy Hooper. “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 women’s 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. I doubt that Fayetteville parents would stand for a law that would endanger their daughters or allow them to be traumatized by a man joining them in their private space. We should never place the preference of an adult over the safety and innocence of a child. Parents, who do you want undressing next to your daughter at the public swimming pool’s private changing area?”
Listen:
The Advocate notes the “recording was issued with support from Arkansas’ Family Council, a conservative organization that claims that the bill would ‘infringe on the rights of churches as well as religious business people.'”
Hooper adds that “TLC has long ignored the family’s political actions. This is no longer tenable, at least if the network wants to call the Duggars’ show ‘reality TV.'”
And in fact, Josh Duggar, Michelle and Jim Bob’s first-born, is the Executive Director of the Family Research Council’s political arm, FRC Action. A quick look through his Twitter feed shows him rubbing elbows with the religious right’s favorite politicians, from Governors Rick Perry and Bobby Jindal, to former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Steve King, and the Benham Brothers — likely none of whom would support Fayetteville’s non-discrimination ordinance.
Gr8 time in #Iowa @theFAMiLYLEADER: @JasonBBenham @DavidDBenham @GovernorPerry @BobbyJindal @SteveKingIA @FRCAction pic.twitter.com/JxxZ64ub8Q
— Josh Duggar (@joshduggar) August 9, 2014
The Arkansas Family Council’s website notes it is associated with Focus on the Family.
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Image via Wikimedia
Transcript via The Advocate
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Previously on The New Civil Rights Movement:
How Does The Discovery Channel Feel About Being Used By A Certified Hate Group?
Reality TV Star And Eldest Son Of “19 Kids And Counting†To Lead Anti-Gay Hate Group
Religious Right Evangelical Megachurch Leaders Set To Infiltrate DC — As GOP Congressmen
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