Derick Dillard, who starred on TLC’s Counting On alongside his wife, 19 Kids and Counting alum Jill (Duggar) Dillard, was fired by the network after comments he made about transgenderism and fellow TLC star Jazz Jennings. On Saturday, Amy (Duggar) King, Dillard’s outspoken cousin-in-law, called for compassion in the wake of the uproar.
As People reported, the controversy surrounding Dillard, who has two children with his wife Jill, began over the summer, when he tweeted his disapproval of TLC’s I Am Jazz, a reality show about the life of a 16-year-old transgender teen.
https://twitter.com/derickmdillard/status/892938651469922304
“What an oxymoron… a ‘reality’ show which follows a non-reality,” tweeted Dillard in response to a promotional tweet from the network about Jennings’ series. “‘Transgender’ is a myth. Gender is not fluid; it’s ordained by God.”
After being criticized on social media for “throwing shade” at a“teenage girl,” Dillard further incited anger by referring to Jennings, who was born a male but now identifies as a female, as “him” instead of “her” in subsequent tweets.
I want to be clear. I have nothing against him. I only have issue with the words and definitions being propagated here.
— Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) August 3, 2017
At the time, TLC told People that “Derick Dillard’s personal statement does not represent the views of TLC.”
On Thursday, the controversy was reignited after Dillard shared a blog post titled “American Progress, Through Understanding and Unity.” Some Twitter users took issue with the article’s unifying tone, given his past comments about Jennings.
In reaction to those critics, Dillard stated that he has “pity” for Jennings and those “who take advantage of him to promote their agenda.”
I pity Jazz, 4 those who take advantage of him in order 2 promote their agenda, including the parents who allow these kinds of decisions 2 be made by a child. It’s sad that ppl would use a juvenile this way. Again, nothing against him, just unfortunate what’s on tv these days.
— Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) November 9, 2017
“[N]othing against him, just unfortunate what’s on tv these days,” he tweeted, before adding, “I think it’s important to have a mature discussion. I am just expressing my concerns, as a Christian. The beauty of the world is that everybody is not like me.”
I think it’s important to have a mature discussion. I am just expressing my concerns, as a Christian. The beauty of the world is that everybody is not like me.
— Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) November 9, 2017
The Twitter storm comes on the heels of TLC officially announcing that Dillard is no longer part of the network.
— TLC Network (@TLC) November 11, 2017
“We want to let our viewers know that Derick Dillard has not participated in Counting On for months and the network has no plans to feature him in the future,” the November 11 statement read. “We want to reiterate that Derick’s personal statements do not reflect the views of the network. TLC is proud to share the story of Jazz Jennings and her family and will continue to do so.”
While it does not appear as though Dillard has directly addressed TLC’s decision, the Christian Post reported that King, who appeared with her husband, Dillon King, in the TLC special Amy & Dillon: Married One Year in early 2017, tweeted a cryptic message last Wednesday calling for love.
You might not agree with someone or their lifestyle but you SHOULD be compassionate and show God's love regardless to everyone.
— Amy Rachelle King (@amyduggar) November 15, 2017
“You might not agree with someone or their lifestyle,” she tweeted, “but you SHOULD be compassionate and show God’s love regardless to everyone.”
(H/T: Christian Post)