HGTV announced today they will not move forward with the reality series Flip It Forward starring virulent anti-LGBT activist David Benham and his twin brother Jason. David Benham - a cofounder and board member of the anti-LGBT organization Coalition of Conscience and the son of Flip Benham who has long lead the abortion clinic protest group Operation Save America - and his brother have spoken against LGBT people and families, Muslims, and reproductive rights several times. Most notably, the brothers organized a rally in 2012 outside of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina where David bemoaned "homosexuality and its agenda that is attacking the nation" and discussed his work to pass North Carolina's Amendment One which made it unconstitutional for the state to recognize or perform same-sex marriages or civil unions.
Find out more about Benham's racist, anti-LGBT past at GLAAD's Commentator Accountability Project page, including some highlights below:
-- Said trying to "change the biblical and historic definition of marriage is as absurd and ridiculous as trying to change the pattern of the sun" (2:40-3:04)
-- Says marriage equality “erodes the moral fabric of our society” and “threaten[s] future generations,” which he coupled with the claim that "death is the punishment for homosexual sin"
-- Has referred to Muslims as "the enemy attacking" America
-- Protested Charlotte, NC, LGBT pride parade; provided custom water bottles for "God Has A Better Way" protestors to pass out at pride parades
HGTV has a long record of LGBT-inclusion in their programming. They have consistently featured both out hosts and cast LGBT families in their shows. A right-wing extremist like Benham would be a bad fit for the network. HGTV made the right choice in deciding not to move forward with the series.