HGTV Cancels Plans for Reality Show Starring Anti-Gay Activist

By Nick Roman ·

HGTV has decided to pass on its plans for a new real estate reality show featuring anti-gay activist David Benham and his twin brother, Jason.

The network has canceled Flip It Forward following a report by Right Wing Watch that reveals David Benham to be a conservative activist who "has campaigned against LGBT equality and reproductive rights, following in the footsteps of his father, preacher Flip Benham, who has headed the abortion-clinic protest group Operation Save America." The cancellation announcement was made in a tweet by HGTV:

Though he hasn't exactly been in the headlines for his opinions as of late, Benham has a history of outspoken, controversial opinions -- and actions to go with them. Most notably, he led a prayer rally outside of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., gaining notoriety for telling conservative radio host Janet Mefferd that they needed to stop “homosexuality and its agenda that is attacking the nation” and “demonic ideologies tak[ing] our universities and our public school systems”. He was joined in the infamous rally by his brother Jason, who hasn't been nearly as vehement in his beliefs as David, who would continue to speak out publicly in the wake of the DNC prayer protest.

A 2012 blog post on Operation Save America’s website featured Benham equating the fight against marriage equality with the war against Nazi Germany. His controversial rhetoric continued later in 2012, as he wrote in the Christian Post that marriage equality “erodes the moral fabric of our society” and “threaten(s) future generations.”

Faced with alienating a sizable portion of its viewership by featuring the Benhams in a prominent position on the network, HGTV ultimately made the decision not to move forward with Flip It Forward.

Personally, I'm all for making sure hate doesn't get a wider platform, but that's just me. How do you feel about the decision? Sound off in the comments!

Via: LGBTQNation

Credit: HGTV

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