Minnesota Family Council vs. transgender people
Minnesota Family Council is an American Christian organization involved in anti-transgender activism. They also oppose marriage equality, reproductive rights, and bans on conversion therapy.
Background
The Berean League was founded in 1982. In 1992, it changed its name to Minnesota Family Council. In 2011, MFC registered as a political action committee to lobby against marriage equality.
People
- Jeff Evans: President & CEO
- Renee Carlson: General Counsel, True North Legal (TNL)
- Rory Martin: Director, Church Ambassador Network (CAN)
- Rebecca Delahunt: Director of Public Policy
- Grace Lawrence: Acting Director of Communications
Anti-trans activism
In 2018, MFC published The Ask Me First MN Parent Resource Guide in partnership with Family Policy Alliance. In 2019, anti-trans parent Emily Zinos helped develop a national version called Gender Resource Guide. The national version was produced in collaboration with anti-trans groups Family Policy Alliance, The Heritage Foundation, The Kelsey Coalition, Women’s Liberation Front, and Parents of ROGD Kids.
The guide explains how to challenge gender-inclusive policies in schools and maintain sex segregation. It attacks the gender-affirming model of care and highlights the ex-trans movement (regret, “desistance,” and “detransition”).
It was endosed by a number of prominent anti-trans activists:
- Sasha Ayad
- Miriam Ben-Shalom, Hands Across The Aisle Women In Coalition
- Susan Bradley, formerly of CAMH
- John F. Brehany, The National Catholic Bioethics Center
- Vernadette R. Broyles, Child & Parental Rights Campaign
- Jennifer S. Bryson, Let All Play [now Sports Policy Initiative]
- Michelle Cretella, American College of Pediatricians
- John A. Di Camillo, The National Catholic Bioethics Center
- Jill Gardner, mother
- Lynn Grandon, Respect Life Office at Catholic Charities
- Walt Heyer, ex-trans activist
- Jack Hibbs, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills
- Hacsi Horváth, ex-trans activist
- Jeff Johnston, Focus on the Family
- Maria Keffler, Arlington Parent Coalition
- Michael K. Laidlaw, author of Gender Dysphoria and Children: An Endocrinologist’s Evaluation of ‘I am Jazz’
- William J. Malone, Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine
- North Star Law and Policy Center
- Nancy R. Pearcey, author of Love Thy Body
- [Elisa] Shupe, ex-trans activist later turned whistleblower
- Peter Sprigg, Family Research Council
- Joe Zalot, The National Catholic Bioethics Center
References
Johnston, Jeff (October 4, 2019). Minnesota Mom on the Frontlines for Parental Rights and Protecting Children. Daily Citizen https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/minnesota-mom-on-the-frontlines-for-parental-rights-and-protecting-children/
Raghavendran, Beena (April 13, 2016). Legislators, families take sides as Minnesota, nation debate transgender issues. Minneapolis Star-Tribune https://www.startribune.com/legislators-families-take-sides-as-minnesota-nation-debate-transgender-issues/375490051
Nehil, Tom (November 1, 2012). Who is funding the marriage amendment fight? MinnPost https://www.minnpost.com/data/2012/11/who-funding-marriage-amendment-fight/
Birkey, Andy (August 14, 2008). Minnesota’s homegrown Christian right: meet the Minnesota Family Council. Twin Cities Daily Planet https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/minnesotas-homegrown-christian-right-meet-minnesota-family-council/
Kleinjung, Jennifer (2025). AIDS Conference Protest, St. Paul, 1987. Minneapolis Historical Society https://www3.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/event/aids-conference-protest-st-paul-1987
Resources
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Minnesota Family Council (mfc.org)
- The Issue: Gender and Sexuality
- mfc.org/the-issue-gender-sexuality
- Transgender Policies: True & False
- https://www.mfc.org/truefalse [2015 – archive]
Gender Resource Guide (genderresourceguide.com)
- Parent Resource Guide: Responding to the transgender issue
- genderresourceguide.com/wp-content/themes/genderresource/library/documents/NPRGFullDocumentPrintV17.pdf
Ask Me First (askmefirstmn.org) [not archived]
Facebook (facebook.com)
YouTube (youtube.com)
X/Twitter (x.com)
Instagram (instagram.com)
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