TLCUPDATE: The counter petition launched to support the Duggar family, urging TLC to keep their show on the air, was created and launched by fans and not by the Duggars themselves, as previously reported.
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The Duggars have been at the center of backlash after an online petition on Change.org urged TLC to cancel the family's reality show 19 Kids and Counting. Since it started making headlines, support for the petition has skyrocketed, receiving more than 100,000 signatures to-date.
Recently, supporters of the family launched a counter petition urging TLC to keep the show on the air. A link to it was posted on a Facebook fan page for matriarch Michelle Duggar with the caption, "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.
"Sign our petition today to let TLC know that you support the Duggars' stand for traditional marriage."
The petition has already far surpassed its goal of 1,000 signatures, and currently has 17,760 and counting.
The initial petition was created earlier this month in order to "end LGBTQ fear mongering by the Duggars" after the famous family was accused of being anti-gay. "The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people," a letter on the website states. "You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show."
Additionally, the petition posted an update that states: "The Duggars have thrown massive amounts of money to repeal this law so business owners and land lords can evict and fire people solely over gender idenity and sexual orientation! They need to be taken off the air!"
TLC had no comment on the petition, which is hoping to garner 500,000 signatures.