Pro-Traditional Marriage Group Starts Petition Demanding A&E Bring Back Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson
A pro-traditional marriage group has started a petition demanding that A&E reinstate Phil Robertson of 'Duck Dynasty' after his remarks on homosexuality.
The National Organization for Marriage announced on Thursday morning the creation of a petition demanding that A&E reverse its suspension of Robertson.
"The gay lobby bullies are at it again. This time they've attacked one of the most popular Christians in America – Phil Robertson, patriarch of Duck Dynasty's Robertson family," reads the announcement for the petition.
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"The grossly misnamed Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and their Hollywood ally GLAAD have demanded that Phil be punished and, incredibly, last night A&E succumbed to the gay bullies and suspended Phil Robertson!"
In a recent interview with GQ, Robertson garnered controversy when he referred to homosexuality as a sin.
"It seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical," said Robertson.
The remarks caused an uproar among groups like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign, who demanded that A&E pursue punitive action against the "Duck Dynasty" star.
Wednesday evening, A&E agreed to do so, suspending Robertson from the hit reality TV program for his remarks.
"What's clear is that such hateful anti-gay comments are unacceptable to fans, viewers, and networks alike," said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz in a statement.
"By taking quick action and removing Robertson from future filming, A&E has sent a strong message that discrimination is neither a Christian nor an American value."
Outrage from fans was almost instantaneous, as a Facebook group dubbed "Stand With Phil Robertson" was launched, and within a day has already garnered more than 307,000 likes.
In their petition, NOM has asked supporters to either email or mail a statement calling for the cable channel to reinstate Robertson and to offer an official apology.
"A&E's executives may not believe in the Bible, and that is your right. But you have no right to silence the millions of Christians, like Phil Robertson, who uphold the word of God," reads the petition in part.
"Nothing that Phil Robertson said is hateful. In fact, he has specifically said that he loves all people and would never treat anyone with disrespect simply because they are different from him. He has simply stated his opinion about sin as taught by the Bible."
