IN THE CROSS HAIRS: The prolific Duggar family of Tontitown is under fire for its recent outspoken opposition to a civil-rights ordinance passed by the Fayetteville City Council in August that includes protections for a variety of citizens, including gay, bisexual and transgender people.
People opposed to Ordinance 5703 gathered enough signatures to force a referendum seeking its repeal Dec. 9. The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce is among those calling for its repeal.
The Duggars became involved in the dispute after Michelle Duggar made a recording that was used for a robo call. In the recording, she speaks out against the new ordinance and claims that it will allow transgender individuals to use restrooms of the opposite sex.
"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," Duggar says in her recorded message.
In response, Jim Wissick of San Jose, Calif., created a petition at change.org asking the TLC network to drop the family's 19 Kids and Counting reality show, reports Christian Today.
Wissick contends that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar use their celebrity "to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people," he writes. "You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show."
As of Saturday afternoon, more than 172,000 people had signed the online petition calling for the Duggars' show to be canceled.
Meanwhile, a counterpetition created by lifesitenews.com called for supporting the Duggars. Supporters include radio talk show host Alice Stewart of Little Rock. More than 204,000 had signed it by Saturday afternoon.
To read the ordinance, go to tinyurl.com/fayette5703.
HIGH NOTE: Dustin Yoder of Jacksonville, a senior at Parkview High in Little Rock, has been selected to participate in the 2015 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in February.
He was accepted after auditioning this fall and will perform as a violinist with the Honors Orchestra.
"We process more than 10,000 nominations annually, selecting only the most talented performers applying on an international level," says Morgan Smith, the program's director.
VINTAGE INK: The Empress of Little Rock bed-and-breakfast recently landed some more national ink, this time in the 2014 special Christmas issue of the magazine Victorian Homes. The eight-page photo spread of the mansion, known historically as the Hornibrook House, includes several interior photos of the Queen Anne-style home, completed in 1888.
FAMILIAR FACE: Actor Wes Bentley, formerly of Sherwood, appears in a new Lexus RC coupe commercial. Visit tinyurl.com/nead8u4 to check it out.
Contact Linda S. Haymes at (501) 399-3636 or lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
SundayMonday on 11/30/2014