Twins David and Jason Benham have been buying and flipping houses for profit for years. Now, they wanted to give back to families who couldn’t afford their dream homes.
After hearing their idea, HGTV signed them on for a new show calling Flipping it Forward, which was scheduled to debut in October. Each episode was going to feature David and Jason purchasing a fixer-upper home to turn into one lucky family’s forever home.
Unfortunately, HGTV announced on Wednesday that they will not be moving forward with the show after a lobbying group called Right Wing Watch informed the network that David was “anti-gay” and had previously protested against homosexuality.
“David Benham, led a prayer rally — Charlotte 7:14 — outside of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2012, which he told conservative radio host Janet Mefferd was needed to stop “homosexuality and its agenda that is attacking the nation” and “demonic ideologies tak[ing] our universities and our public school systems,” the group wrote.
“David also discussed his work to pass North Carolina’s Amendment One, which enshrined a ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state constitution.”
HGTV has decided not to move forward with the Benham Brothers' series.
— HGTV (@hgtv) May 7, 2014
After hearing HGTV’s decision, the Benham brothers issued a statement saying that they were saddened by their decision.
“The first and last thought on our minds as we begin and end each day is; have we shined Christ’s light today? Our faith is the fundamental calling in our lives, and the centerpiece of who we are,” the brothers said. “As Christians we are called to love our fellow man. Anyone who suggests that we hate homosexuals or people of other faiths is either misinformed or lying. Over the last decade, we’ve sold thousands of homes with the guiding principle of producing value and breathing life into each family that has crossed our path, and we do not, nor will we ever discriminate against people who do not share our views.”
“We were saddened to hear HGTV’s decision,” they added. “With all of the grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television today you would think there would be room for two twin brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical principles, and dedicated professionals. If our faith costs us a television show then so be it.”
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