One of the NFL’s most prolific passers supports one of the most homophobic organizations in the country.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins recently participated in a half-hour conversation with Focus On The Family Chief Operating Officer Ken Windebank, dishing on his faith and the importance of marriage.
Focus On The Family is a fundamentalist Christian organization that promotes conversion therapy and refuses to recognize transgender people, as well as an array of other anti-LGBTQ+ stances.
While Cousins didn’t explicitly talk about LGBTQ+ issues during his public chat with Windebank, it’s apparent the four-time Pro Bowler buys into the dogma.
“There are consequences to the choices you make in life. Good or bad. And if you sow good things you’ll reap good things. But if you sow poor decisions, you’ll reap poor decisions,” he said at one point.
Outsports first reported Cousins’ involvement with the group.
Cousins’ embrace of Focus On The Family doesn’t jive with the Vikings’ values, or with the people of Minnesota, one of the most progressive states in the Midwest. An outraged Vikings fan forwarded Cousins’ video to Outsports.
“It doesn’t matter how innocuous the content in the video is,” said the fan. “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.”
Indeed, the Vikings prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusivity. They have at least one publicly out front office employee and promote various pro-LGBTQ+ initiatives.
Focus On The Family, obviously, peddles anti-gay hate.
Here is what the organization says about homosexuality:
“Focus on the Family is committed to upholding God’s design for the expression of human sexuality: a husband and wife in a marriage relationship. We also hold to the scriptural truth that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ brings transformation and power over sin. We reach out with compassion and respect to individuals, families, and churches affected by homosexuality.”
Umm… yeah. Those homophobes can take their “compassion” and shove it.
Thank you!
Unsurprisingly, the group’s section on “transgenderism” is just as backwards.
“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 website reads.
To put it mildly, Focus On The Family isn’t hiding its anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. When Outsports called the organization’s hotline, the person on the line said disavowing homosexuality was “a huge first step of courage,” and that “the devil wants to keep you dark and isolated.”
With mantras like that, it’s hard to believe Cousins could be ignorant of the group’s views. Both the Vikings and Cousins declined to answer questions about the story, for what it’s worth.
In the past, Cousins has indicated his socially conservative views. When asked about playing with a hypothetical gay teammates, he said “nobody’s perfect.”
Do you think he would’ve responded that if asked about a hypothetical straight teammate?
Not a chance!
In the aforementioned conversation, Cousins bemoans how today’s culture is drifting away from his faith, referencing one of his Focus On The Faith mentors.
“He challenged us to understand that that meant following Jesus, even if it cost you something. So if culture goes this way and Jesus went this way, even if it cost you something. I’m going to be a fully devoted follower, even if it cost me something. I’m going to trust him and build my life on his truth,” he said.
Cousins’ mentor, Ray Vander Laan, appears to be a religious zealot.
Many NFL fans are slamming Cousins for his involvement with Focus On The Family, and demanding answers.
Is it asking too much for there to be more Taijuan Walker, Adam Jones, Sean Doolittle, Connor McDavids in the world and less Kirk Cousins, Phillip Rivers, Drew Brees, Lance Berkmans, etc.
— Adam Seth Moss (@LFNJSinner) November 27, 2023
🚩🚩🚩🚩
— Eva M. (@evacharlez1) November 27, 2023
Cousins isn’t the first star NFL QB to publicly back Focus On The Family. Beloved New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees was also involved with the hate group.
Since Cousins is out for the season with a torn Achilles, he’s not required to hold press availabilities, so it’s unlikely he’ll be asked about this issue head on.
That is, unless the pressure stays on. A star NFL player working with a vehemently homophobic organization flies in the face of the league’s inclusive message.
WillParkinson
Ew. Tell him to keep his cooties to himself.
Mister P
They aren’t focusing on the family, they are focusing on our community.
Think of the good they could do if they put their efforts toward so many other injustices in the world instead of just hating queers.
Donston
That’s the main issue with many of these groups. They’re not so much about promoting faith but about looking for enemies aka Satan, embracing queerdom, “feminism”, etc. When the reality is that these groups are full of hypocrisy and hate and do a lot of damage.
abfab
Scapegoats and monsters. The REPUBLICANS NEED US TO SURVIVE!
… They were being really crazy
But they will only come
And you know what, mommy?
Everyone was being really crazy
The monsters are crazy
There are monsters outside
-Annie Lennox
barryaksarben
Focus on the family came into being as anti gay group. Their focus is on us and nil one else. They are horrible vicious haters who can suck this fags noticeably bigger than average dick. Do not trust a single so called christian. Even my very religious sister talked me into going to her church a couple times decades ago as hers was different and accepting and every single time the sermon ended up being about a group they disapproved of and after pointing it out to my sister her and her husband decided to worship at home and hold bible studies in their home for socially progressive believers. I am a non believer but dont begrudge anyone else’s beliefs as long as they dont try to force others to believe. These are FAKE christians and are dangerous
abfab
Barry you are wonderful. Thank you for spelling it all out. Praise Barry!!!!
Imagine how long the list!!!! FOTF is one. There must be thousands of individual splinter groups. And then some!
decrans
Barry doesn’t force others to ‘believe.’ Do tell. Tell us what happens when a normie refuses to use zir/zer pronouns, Bear.
ZzBomb
“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 website reads.
Soooooooooo ‘god,’ according to them, is a hermaphrodite? They say in ‘his’ image and then go on to say of both male and female. So god could very well be transgender too!
Astonishing!
FRE0
What Focus seems not to realize the damage done by their attitude towards gay men and women.
In earlier times it was quite common for a gay man to marry a woman desperately hoping that by doing so he could change is sexuality. Of course such marriages generally ended in divorce leaving many people badly hurt.
How do these anti-gay people expect us to live our lives? Marriage to an opposite sex person would generally be a disaster. Are we supposed to live alone? Would it be OK to live with someone of the opposite sex if we had separate bedrooms, or would that be scandalous? Would it be OK to live with someone of the same sex even though that could lead to temptations? Just what do these anti-gay expect us to do? I have never known them to address that matter.
abfab
So GOD had sex with himself? Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww, kinky. And let’s not forget, Jesus was bisexual but they never tell you that in chatachism. (god what a creepy word)
klb58495
This is what happens when the NFL Concussion Protocol is not followed.
abfab
LOL…very/partly true.
ShaverC
Not everyone has to be on your side. This is ridiculous Who cares what he believes?
Den
I think a better question is who on this site cares what interlopers like you believe?
Though to be fair, perhaps you are simply too dull to understand that those who wish to do away with marriage equality, recriminalize homosexuality and make trans people legal pariahs are more than simply “on another side”, or “of differing opinion”. They are enemies in a very real sense. And though Cousins may not specifically verbalized those views, support for FOTF indicates he shares those views.
WE care because there is undeniable potential for these people and organizations to affect us legally or inspire violence against us. YOUR lack of care lends credence to the notion that you are a heterosexual troll who similarly wishes us harm.
ShaverC
Den, I’m gay, I just don’t get triggered if someone has an opinion that’s different from mine. The group he’s speaking with really yields very little political power.
abfab
SelfishC shoud be your name. It fits.
abfab
Alex Riemer does not produce pieces like this for the hell of it. These are not presented in vain. They are published to inform. And warn. And build a better and GAYER GAY COMMINITY.
Political power’? You read. You post a comment. You dodge. You’re in the constant state of denial. You’re wimpy.
You’re the one with very little political power. You’re a quitter. And you push back against every article QUEERTY brings to us, and yes granted…….a few others, not just you.
You have no idea where ”politcal power” lays. It’s a tricky thing.
Go ahead. Join FOCUS ON THE FAMILY. Who needs you.
Den
Obviously you are ignorant of the power the Christian Right yields. Do you live under a rock? Do you read the news (actual news)? Are you up on the current make up of the Supreme Court? It does not appear so. Are you drowning in the right wing internet echo chamber.
And clearly you are not particularly insightful. The desire to criminalize a federally recognized minority group and strip them of legal protections is not an opinion. It is a MOTIVE, and the results of that motive are clear. Claiming homosexuality and gender dysphoria choices (as opposed to the actual choice of religion) is certainly an opinion, but one demonstrably based on nothing remotely empirical. By contrast the desire of groups like FOTF to legislate their faith, indicates they desire to force their choices on others. And all these fascist Christian groups have the ear of our failed past president as well as a significant number of legislators and Judges\Justices.
And I am certainly not triggered. Simply making observations. Progressives are not the snowflakes and hysterics that the regressive right is. That is demonstrated constantly (They’re taking our guns! They’re banning gas stoves! They’re banning beer and burgers! They’re forcing our kids to trans! Everything is false flag! Biden is senile and a criminal mastermind simultaneously! And so on Ad Nauseum…)
ShaverC
Den, The Federal government codified gay marriage, something they did not do with Roe vs Wade, so it will be extremely difficult to repeal. I don’t live in an echo chamber because I’m neither far left nor far right, so I need to find the truth somewhere in the middle. Focus is a 501-c-3 so they are extremely limited in what they can do politically such as lobbying or supporting a political candidate etc.
abfab
Focus is a 501-c-3 so they are extremely limited in what they can do politically such as lobbying or supporting a political candidate etc.
If you believe that…………………….
Den. He’s not up on things. And Den….thanks again for your succinct rebuttals.
James
GET LOST TRAITOR. GO BACK TO YOUR UGLY LOG CABIN CLUB LOSERS.
smittoons
I don’t necessarily think everyone should pile onto someone for allegedly believing every bit of dogma from a fringe organization, but when it comes to opposing someone who wrongly believes LGBT+ people shouldn’t love the way they are meant to… it’s important to take a stand and educate and be steadfast. We’ve come a long way but we’re targets and could easily become victims if we let this kind of belief fester.
SDR94103
he’s sucked a few.
abfab
Well, there is that.
Ken A.
Thats his belief and I respect that. I don’t agree with it but we’re all entitled to believe and voice those beliefs. We gays certainly do and we no longer keep it to ourselves. In the past we were told to shut up and keep it to ourselves, they didn’t want to hear it. Good luck with that. Are we afraid of a little org called FOCUS ON THE FAMILY? I certainly hope not.
FRE0
It is a problem when his attitudes affect the quality of the lives of other people, and his attitudes DO affect the quality of the lives of other people. They result in hate crimes. They also result in self-hate and suicide.
He doesn’t need to approve of everything that other people do, but he should not contribute to the problems that we gay people still sometimes have to face.
Den
Support for an organization that is an undeniable threat to the physical, economic and emotional well being of a recognized minority is more than a belief. And the kind of beliefs espoused by FOTF are in no way worthy of respect by LGBT people. You refer to “we gays”, but man, you sound as much like a hetero troll as Shaver: voicing support for those who wish to disenfranchise us in so many ways, and who encourage violence towards us among their followers, or minimizing the real danger.
Clearly as a straight man, you would have no reason to fear FOTF. As LGBT people we have good reason to fear their goals and methods, and to oppose them in all legitimate ways.
And honestly, if you think being LGBT is a “belief”, an “opinion” or a “lifestyle”, implying you are gay in comments here is an obvious lie, and you need to go away!
abfab
Afraid, Ken A.? F u c k n o.
Baron Wiseman
@Den
“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”
BDAguy
It is so ver sad that these evangelicals fail to realize they are doomed to hell for all eternity for violating the core premise of Christian faith: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27)
All humankind – all faiths, colors, abilities, orientations/identities – are God’s creation and to deny any one of them is to deny God’s creation. Not a good image for alleged “believers”.
FRE0
Right. And they seem to ignore The Summary of the Law which is what Jesus responded with when asked which is the most important law. Here it is from the Bible:
Matthew 22:37-39 KJV
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Actually, He was quoting from the OT. He followed that by stating that it is the most important law. And, to expand the definition of “neighbor” and define “love”, He gave us the parable of the Good Samaritan. That is absolutely basic to Christianity. Unfortunately it is too often ignored. Of course no one is perfect, but if people make no effort to follow that they are not very good Christians.
Den
I think a better question is who on this site cares what interlopers like you believe?
Though to be fair, perhaps you are simply too dull to understand that those who wish to do away with marriage equality, recriminalize homosexuality and make trans people legal pariahs are more than simply “on another side”, or “of differing opinion”. They are enemies in a very real sense. And though Cousins may not specifically verbalized those views, support for FOTF indicates he shares those views.
WE care because there is undeniable potential for these people and organizations to affect us legally or inspire violence against us. YOUR lack of care lends credence to the notion that you are a heterosexual troll who similarly wishes us harm.
abfab
Den you are terrific!!!! Thank you!
bachy
I support people “focusing on the family” because it goes without saying that heterosexual reproduction is a fundamental contribution to the furtherance of the human race. Every society needs happy, healthy families and children.
But those of us who do not reproduce continue to make a contribution to humanity that should not be dismissed. Same-sex bonding is the glue that generates civilization above and beyond basic reproduction. Same-sex bonding is key to the formation of essential human connections like friendships, tribes, armies, communities and indispensable spiritual ideas like brother- and sisterhood. We are here for a reason and we will continue to be born into the human family – because the way we connect is essential to what makes human beings human.
Den
Your comment makes it sound like you have no idea who the organization FOTF really is and what their goals are. They are focused on undermining LGBT rights, protections, enfranchisements, and recriminalizing homosexuality. They have no focus on actual family at all.
abfab
Society needs happy, healthy families and children! YES!
But our happy society must stop forcing women to give birth, and when they do, think about taking care of the unwanted and the deformed, and in many cases, the mother with not a penny to her name)
Love,
A very happy homo!
Baron Wiseman
@Den
How about you go to their website and actually do a little research before you make such a post. You do not know what you are talking about.
Den
“How about you go to their website and actually do a little research before you make such a post. You do not know what you are talking about.”
How about heterosexual hate filled right wingers stop coming here lying and spreading their hatred? Do you have some problem with honesty? Do you know what ethics are? Are you really that consumed by hatred for people who would otherwise have no animus toward you? I suspect you actually take pleasure in the suicide deaths of gay and trans youth.
James
GET LOST MORON.
Baron Wiseman
@Den
Please explain to me what “hatred” I supposedly posted. Please give specific examples:
1.
2.
3.
I am gay. I’ve been out since 1983 and just because I think differently than you doesn’t make me any less gay, Mr. Diversity.
Baron Wiseman
Who cares?
I am old enough to remember when the gay mantra was about tolerance. We have long passed tolerance and entered – “celebrate my lifestyle choices or I will destroy you.”
Why? Why do you care what someone whom you have never heard of doesn’t revere and celebrate your sexuality? It’s rather pathological.
There will always be “the sky is falling” crowd who think there is a grand conspiracy to roll back our rights. What politician is currently running or advocating such measures? No one.
Gays had it right early on in our struggle with a focus on tolerance. Isn’t that what part of diversity is about? I don’t need praise and celebration from anyone; especially people I don’t know.
Den
I am sincerely curious why an obvious heterosexual who dislikes LGBT people comes here to voice his hatred. And don’t claim to be gay. Everyone who reads your screed knows that is a lie.
You even refer to it as a “lifestyle choice”, making your lie painfully obvious.
Are you really so effing stupid you think we want people to “celebrate our sexuality”? Really? Are you that much of an idiot? We want equal protection under the law, a concept that makes heterosexual “christians” like you terrified as you would be forced to admit we are fully human.
Hate filled heterosexuals like you make me sick.
Den
“I am old enough to remember when the gay mantra was about tolerance. We have long passed tolerance and entered – ‘celebrate my lifestyle choices or I will destroy you.'”
The goal has always been equal rights and equal protection under the law. Sorry if that offends heterosexual right wingers like you. But we will not kowtow to you. Nor let your lies stand without challenge. And as so many others have said. Nobody wants you here. This is not a place for heterosexual filled with hate to male believe they are gay and spread their hatred. Get psychological help. You need it.
decrans
See, that’s the thing, Den. When we have 300 genders now, it reads like a choice to most normal people. That’s YOUR mistake. Whoopsie-doodle! Y’all can’t explain it in an intellgent manner, so you pout in the corner. Not the problem for most Americans.
LeBlevsez
Funny, Baron Wiseman, that you say the espousing of anti-gay sentiment is merely expressing a harmless opinion, but countering anti-gay opinion is ‘pathological’. Your rhetoric reveals you as quivering, quaking, cowardly.
Another suggestion for your new moniker: iamtooobvious.
Baron Wiseman
@Den
Dearest Den,
Please let me know when you think you will be able to make a post like a mature adult without all ad homien attacks.
Greatly appreciated,
Baron
abfab
Baron. Douche.
decrans
Baron is right again. Very rarely, these boycotts have no effect: Ivan Provorov, Clayton Krenshaw, etc. As evidenced by Google News, only Queerty and OutSports cares about this story.
James
^^^^^ no life loser……. got kicked off of every other site, now trolls here.
decrans
Where have you been? I’ve been trolling since June.
still_onthemark
“Where have you been? I’ve been trolling since June.”
June??? SEEMS MUCH LONGER THAN THAT!
James
WHAT A BIGOT AND A CREEP.
johnny15
One more time for all the people at the back – GOD’S NOT REAL.
abfab
Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine
Meltin’ in a pot of thieves
Wild card up my sleeve
Thick heart of stone
My sins, my own
They belong to me, me
-Patti Smith