TLC is under fire from LGBT groups and supporters as the cable television network announced that it will not be cancelling its "My Husband's Not Gay" reality TV special, which will premiere on January 11.
GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) clearly expressed that the upcoming show is "downright irresponsible." In a blog from the LGBT organization, its CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis said that the TV network is "putting countless young LGBT people in harm's way."
Josh Sanders, a Christian who claims to have been subject to "ex-gay" therapy, started a Change.org petition, which currently has nearly 120,000 supporters. Sanders started the online petition for the cancellation of TLC's "My Husband's Not Gay" special.
"TLC is presenting victims' lives as entertainment," wrote Sanders on the online petition. Adding that the special's message is "harmful" to not only LGBT people, but also to "communities of faith."
The one-hour special features a small group of Mormon men attracted to other males while being married to women. The men cannot identify themselves as gay because of their religion, instead, they are referring to their homosexuality as SSA or same sex attraction.
The group, composed of three married couples and a single man, formed a support group.
Jeff, one of the married Mormon men, told ET that he does not consider himself as "gay." His wife Tanya clarified that their honeymoon was "still great and successful."
On the other hand, TLC responded to GLAAD's statement, saying that the individuals featured in the "My Husband's Not Gay" special "speak only for themselves." TLC will still air the special despite the criticisms.