Focus On The Family is well-funded and opposes same-sex marriage, supports “professional therapy” on issues of sexual orientation, as well as refusing to the recognize transgender people, among other issues. Cousins recently engaged in a public conversation with Ken Windebank, Chief Operating Officer for Focus On The Family, in regard to his faith and his commitment to marriage, as well as other topics.
Cousins’ comments didn’t specifically in-the-moment condemn transgender people or same-sex marriage, though his praise for the organization’s teachings (which include very clear anti-LGBTQ policy) and other comments leave room for questions that he refused to answer this week. Both the Vikings and Cousins declined to answer Outsports’ questions for this story.
The Vikings, for their part, have established themselves as one of the most outwardly LGBTQ-inclusive teams in the NFL, with at least one publicly out employee, and various initiatives designed to explicitly support the LGBTQ community, including participation in Pride, a partnership with the local LGBTQ flag football league and other initiatives. As an organization, the Vikings, despite Cousins’ support for Focus On The Family, remain supportive of the LGBTQ community.
What is Focus On The Family?
Focus On The Family is one of the most prominent anti-LGBTQ organizations in America, and it has been for quite some time. The organization approves of sex and marriage only between a man and a woman. The group also maintains that same-sex marriage is an anathema.
“Marriage is intended by God to be a thriving, lifelong relationship between a man and a woman enduring through trials, sickness, financial crises and emotional stresses,” Focus On The Family says on their website. “Christians are called to affirm and proclaim God’s marriage design and to minister in Christ’s name to those who suffer the consequences of its brokenness.”
Cousins affirmed his devotion to Christian teachings, even discussing his own marriage, though he did not mention same-sex marriage specifically.
Focus On The Family also seems to say transgender people either don’t exist or are somehow choosing to be who they are.
“We believe God created humans in His image, intentionally and immutably male and female, each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships.” The group’s “Counseling for Sexual Identity Concerns” centers, for example, the idea that people with “same-sex attraction” face a “concern.” It seems to say that gay, lesbian and bisexual people are “suffering,” all while talking about “sin” and “personal wrongdoing.”<\/p>
When Outsports called Focus On The Family’s hotline this week, we were told by the person on the hotline that repenting from a gay lifestyle was “a huge first step of courage,” and that “the devil wants to keep you dark and isolated.” Because, according to Focus On The Family, being gay is apparently the work of “the devil.” This is the organization that Cousins publicly supports: My relationship with my husband of 20 years is akin to “the devil.”
Who is Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Washington. In 2018, the Vikings signed Cousins as their starting quarterback. He has found success with the Vikings, as the team has finished at least .500 in four of the five seasons with Cousins as a starting quarterback.
He’s a four-time Pro Bowl player and currently No. 24 in all-time passing yards in the NFL. That’s impressive. He also has a winning record as a quarterback, though he’s started only four NFL Playoff games, posting a 1-3 record.
He’s currently on injured reserve with a torn Achilles tendon and not expected back on the field until 2024.
What is Kirk Cousins’ involvement with Focus On The Family?
Outsports was alerted to Cousins’ appearance with Focus On The Family by a Vikings fan. “It doesn’t matter how innocuous the content in the video is,” the Vikings fan told Outsports. “Focus on the Family has consistently pushed for abhorrent policies and to enshrine their views into American law. For the Vikings’ franchise quarterback to partner with them is shocking, disappointing, and runs counter to the image the Vikings have tried to project.
What else did Cousins tell the Focus On The Family audience?
Cousins’ comments during his Focus On The Family appearance certainly need to be called into question.