Logo

LA Times

Reality Star Fights Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Aug 22, 2014  •  Post A Comment

A reality personality has been involved in trying to defeat an anti-discrimination ordinance that would protect the rights of transgender men and women.

The Los Angeles Times’ Show Tracker reports that Michelle Duggar, the matriarch on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” recorded a robocall to urge residents of Fayetteville, Ark., to speak out against the ordinance.

The measure would appoint a civil rights administrator to handle complaints from citizens who say they have been victims of discrimination, ranging from sexual orientation to veteran status. The ordinance also bars landlords and business owners from evicting or firing anyone based on these grounds.

The ordinance passed Wednesday in a 6-2 vote, the piece notes.

While such ordinances are widespread across the country, Duggar said on the robocall she believes it would provide protection to pedophiles, and also allow men to use women’s and girls’ restrooms, showers, and other female-only areas. Fayetteville’s city attorney countered by saying transgender people “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.”

TLC declined to comment on Duggar’s robocalls. The show will return for its eighth season on Sept. 2.

19 kids & counting-title

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)