It is a war of petitions. After the a petition called for cable network TLC to cancel the popular 19 Kids and Counting due to the Duggar family's anti-LGBT stance, fans of the supersized family's show have countered with their own supportive petition.
Just days ago, it was reported that a petition asking TLC to cancel 19 Kids and Counting was quickly growing support. The petition, on Change.org was made by San Jose, California resident, Jim Wissick, and is called, "End LGBTQ fear mongering by the Duggars."
Despite being sleepily made in August, the petition has seen a spike in popularity after Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar reportedly deleted a photo of a gay couple kissing from their Facebook page. The petition now has more than 144,000 signatures.
Duggar supporters responded with their own petition on ipetitions to keep 19 Kids and Counting on TLC, according to Us Magazine.
The petition was created by a Michelle Duggar fan page on Facebook on November 19. The Facebook post 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."
The petition has over 37,000 signatures- many times the original 1,000 signature goal. "I like the show I watch it every time I get a chance. I hope they don't cancel the show," one supporter wrote on the Facebook page. Added another: "I watch the show and not because of their beliefs. I enjoy seeing all the happy children and the things they do with them. Appears to be a loving family to me."
The Duggars, meanwhile, have held firm on their beliefs.