Michelle Duggar, the mother from the popular TLC show "19 Kids and Counting," is being criticized for sharing her conservative religious views on trans men and women.
According to the Washington Post, the reality star recorded a controversial message to the residents of Fayetteville, Ark., asking them to oppose an anti-discrimination measure aimed at the transgender community.
The measure will allow transgender women "to use women's and girls' restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas and other areas that are designated for females only." Duggar believed that bill would "affect the safety" of women and children.
"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," she said in the message. "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."
She continued: "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?"
According to NWAHomepage.com, the bill went before the city council Tuesday night and was later passed with a vote of 6-2. Local news station KFSM, reported that the measure would create a "civil rights administrator, who would be able to use the city's powers to ensure 'all persons within the city have equal access to employment, housing, and public accommodations."
Also keep businesses from discriminating against people based on "real or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, familial status, marital status, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, disability and veteran status."
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) condemned the reality star for her comments, calling her remarks "trans-phobic misinformation."
"Not only does Michelle voice the Arkansas Family Council's and FRC's (Family Research Council's) anti-LGBT bigotry and undying dedication to inciting baseless moral panic, but perhaps above all else, they have teamed up to demonstrate a complete ignorance about the issues at hand-namely, a lack of basic legal protections and respect for various members of Arkansas' community," the organization said.
Over 200 cities in the United States have passed similar non-discrimination laws on gender identity, including: Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Dallas and Philadelphia.
