Family Research Council vs. transgender people
Family Research Council is an American conservative Christian group that opposes transgender rights. They are designated as a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center.
Background
In 1980, psychologist James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, met with other Christian leaders at the Reagan Administration White House Conference on Families. Dobson identified a need for a Washington presence advocating “traditional family values.”
In 1983, the Family Research Council incorporated as a nonprofit educational institution in the District of Columbia. According to the FRC website’s original history page, its founding board included:
- James Dobson: psychologist
- Armand Nicholoi Jr.: psychiatrist
- George Rekers: psychologist
- Gerald “Jerry” Regier: founding leader
Gary Bauer, a domestic policy advisor to President Reagan, succeeded Regier in 1988. By the mid-1990s,FRC had grown into a $10 million operation. In 2000, attorney and anti-abortion activist Ken Connor was abounted President by the board. In 2003, Tony Perkins became FRC leader.
2010 Rekers scandal
In May 2010, George Rekers was caught vacationing with an escort hired through RentBoys.com. On May 6, FRC issues a press release from Tony Perkins that stated in part:
“Reports have been circulating regarding Dr. Reker’s relationship with a male prostitute. FRC has had no contact with Dr. Rekers or knowledge of his activities in over a decade so FRC can provide no further insight into these allegations.
“In the past 24 hours FRC has received calls regarding Dr. George Rekers and his connection with the Family Research Council. After reviewing the historical records we did verify that Dr. Rekers was a member of the original Family Research Council board prior to its merger with Focus on the Family in 1987.
2023 joint report
In 2023 FRC and the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) released a joint report attacking trans and gender diverse youth.
People
1996 staff
- Gary L. Bauer, President
- Catherine A. Deeds, Government Relations Liaison
- Chuck A. Donovan, Senior Policy Advisor and Editor, Washington Watch
- Kristi Stone Hamrick, Press Secretary
- Kristin Hansen, Assistant Press Secretary
- Gracie S. Hsu, Health and Reproductive Analyst
- Robert H. Knight, Director of Cultural Studies
- Lt. Col. Robert L. Maginnis, Culture, Crime and The Military Analyst
- Jennifer E. Marshall, Welfare Issues Analyst
- William R. Mattox, Jr., Vice President for Policy
- Robert G. Morrison, Special Assistant to the President & Policy Analyst
- Phillip V. Olsen, Vice President for Resource Development
References
Selected writing by FRC
Bauwens, Jennifer; Schneider, Victoria; Williams, Raheem (October 2023). The Trans Youth Phenomenon: Critiques & Hard Questions. https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF23I36.pdf
“Lisa” (June 7, 2020). The Cult of Transgenderism. https://frc.org/cult
Sprigg, Peter (February 2016). The Transgender Movement and “Gender Identity” in the Law. Family Research Council https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF16B28.pdf
Press release (May 6, 2010). FRC Statement on Dr. George Rekers. Family Research Council http://www.frc.org/newsroom/frc-statement-on-dr-george-rekers [archive]
Resources
GLAAD Accountability Project (glaad.org/gap)
- Family Research Council
- glaad.org/gap/family-research-council-frc
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
SourceWatch (sourcewatch.org)
InfluenceWatch (influencewatch.org)
- Family Research Council (FRC)
- influencewatch.org/non-profit/family-research-council-frc
Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org)
- Family Research Council
- splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/family-research-council/
Family Research Council (frc.org)
- History/Mission
- frc.org/get.cfm?c=HISTORY_ABOUT [archive]
- frc.org/get.cfm?i=PG03F06&f=WX03G01 [archive]
The Washington Stand (washingtonstand.com)
Facebook (facebook.com)
X/Twitter (x.com)
Instagram (instagram.com)
Was this helpful?
Support my work!