Activists Call on TLC Not to Air 'My Husband's Not Gay'

Some networks never learn.

As The Learning Channel (TLC) prepares to air its latest reality drama "My Husband's Not Gay," the misnomered network is learning that many potential LGBT viewers will not be tuning in to watch the one-hour special slated to premiere on Sunday.

A Change.org petition launched by Josh Sanders, a gay Christian who previously underwent damaging reparative therapy to make him straight is calling on TLC to cancel the show, demanding that the network stop sending the harmful message that gay people should change who they love in order to be accepted by their faith communities.

According to the network's description, "My Husband's Not Gay" follows a group of Mormon men who "are happily married and attracted to their wives, but they are also attracted to other men. They refer to it as Same Sex Attraction ... not gay, SSA."

"The men featured in this show deserve to be shown compassion and acceptance. Perhaps even more importantly, TV viewers need to know the horrific consequences of trying to change who you are." Sanders says on Change.org. "Instead, TLC is presenting victims' lives as entertainment, while sending the message that being gay is something that can and ought to be changed, or that you should reject your sexual orientation by marrying someone of the opposite sex. This message is harmful to both LGBT people and communities of faith, and I call upon TLC to stop spreading such dangerous misinformation by canceling 'My Husband's Not Gay' immediately."

As of this writing, Sanders' petition has garnered over 75,800 signatures - more than half of its 150,000 goal.

Sanders and his petition's 75,000 plus signers aren't the only ones taking umbrage with TLC's decision to air the special. The Hollywood Reporter notes that GLAAD has issued a statement criticizing the show.

"This show is downright irresponsible,"�GLAAD�president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter. "No one can change who they love, and, more importantly, no one should have to.�By investing in this dangerous programming, TLC is putting countless young LGBT people in harm's way."

The petition against "My Husband's Not Gay" isn't the first time that activists have used Change.org to air grievances with TLC for airing programs that are seen as potentially damaging to the LGBT Community.

In November, EDGE reported that a similar petition was launched on Change.org urging TLC to cancel the highly rated reality show "19 Kids and Counting" over the Duggar family's active involvement in anti-LGBT causes.

"The Duggars have been using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people. You need to take a stand on the side of justice and cancel their show," the petition reads.