Family Research Council

Family Research Council (FRC) is an American evangelical nonprofit organization and policy advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. It describes its mission in terms of defending family-centered social policy, religious liberty, and what it calls traditional Judeo-Christian values. Its advocacy has concentrated on abortion, marriage, sexuality, education, pornography and obscenity regulation, parental rights, bioethics, and the role of religion in public life. The organization also operates as a think tank, publishing policy analyses, organizing conferences, briefing lawmakers, mobilizing supporters, and participating in litigation as an amicus curiae. FRC was established in 1981 by psychologist and evangelical leader James Dobson and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1983. Early board members included Dobson, psychiatrist Armand Nicholi Jr., and psychologist George Rekers. Financial difficulties led to an organizational relationship with Dobson’s larger ministry, Focus on the Family, during the late 1980s. FRC became a division of Focus on the Family in 1988, with Gary Bauer joining as president. The organizations separated in 1992, partly because of concerns about maintaining Focus on the Family’s tax-exempt status. FRC subsequently developed as an independent advocacy organization while retaining connections to the broader American evangelical policy network. The group is strongly opposed to legalized abortion and to embryonic stem-cell research that destroys human embryos, while supporting adult stem-cell research. It has advocated abstinence-focused sex education, conscience protections for healthcare workers who object to abortion or contraception, restrictions on pornography and allegedly obscene broadcasting, and greater parental authority in education and healthcare decisions. FRC has also opposed mandatory HPV vaccination requirements for school attendance, arguing that parents should retain decision-making authority and linking the issue to its support for abstinence before marriage. It has opposed gambling, same-sex marriage and civil unions, legal protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and policies that recognize same-sex couples as equivalent to heterosexual married couples. LGBT-related advocacy has been central to FRC’s public identity and one of its most controversial areas. The organization has opposed same-sex marriage, LGBT adoption, and the expansion of nondiscrimination law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. It participated in legal advocacy surrounding Lawrence v. Texas, United States v. Windsor, Hollingsworth v. Perry, and Obergefell v. Hodges, filing or joining briefs that argued for preserving restrictions on same-sex relationships or marriage. Critics, including professional associations, journalists, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, have accused FRC of promoting discredited claims about LGBT people and of selectively presenting social-science research. FRC rejects that characterization and presents its positions as religiously and socially conservative policy arguments. FRC has an affiliated legislative arm, FRC Action, which has supported congressional lobbying and grassroots political activity. Josh Duggar served as FRC Action’s executive director from 2013 until 2015, when he resigned after reports about sexual misconduct committed during his adolescence became public. Tony Perkins has served as FRC president since 2003 and is the organization’s most prominent public representative. FRC is also associated with Project 2025 through membership on its advisory board. Although primarily U.S.-focused, it has engaged in international policy advocacy, including lobbying connected to Uganda in 2010. The organization remains active through research publications, legislative campaigns, media appearances, voter-oriented events, and religious-liberty advocacy.

Family Research Council emerged from the American evangelical movement’s growing engagement with public policy. James Dobson founded the organization in 1981, and it was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1983. Its early board included Dobson, Armand Nicholi Jr., and George Rekers. From the beginning, FRC combined religiously conservative social commentary with organized advocacy on abortion, family policy, sexuality, media standards, and the place of Christianity in public life. Financial problems contributed to a restructuring in the late 1980s. In 1988, FRC became a division of Focus on the Family, Dobson’s principal ministry, and Gary Bauer joined as president. The affiliation gave FRC access to a larger evangelical communications and fundraising network, but it also created institutional and tax-status concerns. FRC separated from Focus on the Family in 1992 and resumed operating as an independent organization. During the 1990s and 2000s, FRC expanded its Washington policy presence. It developed research programs, legislative advocacy, media operations, and public events directed at conservative Christian voters and policymakers. Its policy agenda opposed abortion and embryonic stem-cell research, supported adult stem-cell research and abstinence-oriented education, and promoted conscience protections for healthcare workers. It also opposed pornography, gambling, same-sex marriage, civil unions, LGBT adoption, and the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to civil-rights protections. FRC became particularly prominent in legal and political conflicts over homosexuality and marriage. Alongside Focus on the Family, it submitted an amicus brief in Lawrence v. Texas, the 2003 Supreme Court case that invalidated laws criminalizing private consensual same-sex sexual activity. FRC later filed or supported briefs concerning the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. In United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Supreme Court decisions in 2013 undermined key positions FRC had defended. FRC also opposed the constitutional recognition of same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. The organization’s research and public statements about LGBT people have generated sustained criticism. The Southern Poverty Law Center classified FRC as an anti-LGBT hate group in 2010, while the American Sociological Association and journalists criticized what they viewed as the misuse or distortion of social-science evidence. FRC has maintained that it is criticizing conduct and public policy rather than attacking individuals, but statements by representatives have repeatedly drawn controversy over claims linking homosexuality with child abuse or adverse child outcomes. Tony Perkins became FRC president in 2003 and remains its president. The group’s legislative affiliate, FRC Action, has provided a vehicle for congressional lobbying and political mobilization. Josh Duggar was appointed its executive director in 2013 and resigned in 2015 after reports concerning past sexual misconduct became public. FRC has also engaged in international advocacy, including a 2010 lobbying expenditure concerning a Ugandan resolution described in congressional disclosure records as related to promotion of homosexuality. In 2012, a gunman attacked FRC’s headquarters and wounded a security guard; the assailant later cited the organization’s listing on the SPLC website when explaining his target selection. FRC continues to operate as an active U.S. evangelical policy organization and is associated with the Project 2025 advisory board.

• 2022

  Project 2025 advisory-board association

  [3]Project 2025en.wikipedia.org

  FRC was identified as a member of the advisory board connected with Project 2025.

• 2015

  Duggar resigns

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Josh Duggar resigned from FRC Action after reports about past sexual misconduct became public.

• 2013

  Josh Duggar joins FRC Action

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Josh Duggar became executive director of the organization’s legislative action arm.

• 2012

  Washington headquarters shooting

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  A gunman shot a security guard at FRC’s headquarters before being restrained and arrested.

• 2010

  SPLC classification

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  The Southern Poverty Law Center classified FRC as an anti-LGBT hate group, prompting an enduring public dispute.

• 2003

  Tony Perkins becomes president

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Tony Perkins took over as president and remains the organization’s current leader.

• 1992

  Administrative separation from Focus on the Family

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  FRC became independent again amid concerns about the effect of the affiliation on Focus on the Family’s tax-exempt status.

• 1988

  Joins Focus on the Family

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Following financial difficulties, FRC became a division of Focus on the Family and Gary Bauer became president.

• 1983

  Nonprofit incorporation

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  FRC was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the United States.

• 1981

  Organization founded

  [1]Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org

  James Dobson established the Family Research Council as an evangelical policy and advocacy organization.

A socially conservative evangelical policy institute and advocacy organization that combines think-tank research, lobbying, litigation support, media work, and grassroots mobilization.

• Research and publications

  Policy research and reports

  FRC publishes policy arguments, issue briefs, commentary, and research addressing family structure, marriage, abortion, sexuality, religious liberty, bioethics, education, media standards, and related public-policy questions. Its publications are intended for policymakers, journalists, religious communities, and conservative activists.

• Legislative advocacy

  FRC Action

  FRC Action is the organization’s affiliated legislative action arm. It supports congressional lobbying, voter education, grassroots mobilization, and advocacy campaigns concerning socially conservative policy priorities.

• Conference and political mobilization

  Values Voter Summit

  The Values Voter Summit is an FRC-associated public event bringing together conservative Christian activists, elected officials, movement organizations, and policy advocates. It has served as a forum for speeches, networking, issue organizing, and voter-oriented political messaging.

• Policy center

  Center for Religious Liberty

  The Center for Religious Liberty develops legal and policy arguments concerning religious expression, institutional autonomy, conscience protections, and conflicts between religious beliefs and government regulation. Its work includes commentary and participation in litigation-related advocacy.

• 2017

  Controversial summit material

  A flyer titled “The Health Hazards of Homosexuality,” written by MassResistance, was distributed in a tote bag at an FRC-sponsored Values Voter Summit. MassResistance had also been designated an anti-LGBT hate group by the SPLC.

  Source

• 2015

  Josh Duggar resignation

  Josh Duggar resigned as executive director of FRC Action after reports about sexual misconduct committed during his adolescence became public.

  Source

• 2012

  Headquarters shooting

  Floyd Lee Corkins II shot an FRC security guard in Washington, D.C. Corkins told investigators that he had found FRC through the SPLC’s listing of anti-LGBT groups. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2013.

  Source

• 2010

  SPLC anti-LGBT hate-group designation

  The Southern Poverty Law Center classified FRC as an anti-LGBT hate group, citing what it described as false and harmful claims about LGBT people. FRC rejected the designation and argued that it reflected disagreement over public policy and religious beliefs.

  Source

Read more

• 2022Project 2025 participation

  United States

  FRC joined the advisory-board structure associated with Project 2025, a conservative policy-planning initiative.

  Outcome. The association positioned FRC within a broader conservative coalition developing proposals for a potential future federal administration.

  Source
• 2015Opposition to Obergefell v. Hodges

  United States

  FRC opposed constitutional recognition of same-sex marriage and criticized the Supreme Court’s consideration of Obergefell v. Hodges through legal and public-policy advocacy.

  Outcome. The Supreme Court held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.

  Source
• 2013Defense of marriage litigation advocacy

  United States

  FRC supported legal arguments defending the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8 before the U.S. Supreme Court, including an amicus brief issued in January 2013.

  Outcome. The Supreme Court ruled against key elements of the position FRC supported in United States v. Windsor and left a lower-court ruling against Proposition 8 in place through Hollingsworth v. Perry.

  Source
• 2010Uganda lobbying activity

  Uganda · United States

  A congressional lobbying disclosure identified a $25,000 payment by FRC for lobbying concerning a Ugandan resolution described as related to promotion of homosexuality. Uganda later enacted an anti-homosexuality law that was invalidated by its Constitutional Court in 2014 on procedural grounds.

  Outcome. The lobbying activity became part of criticism of FRC’s international advocacy and its connection to restrictive policy proposals abroad.

  Source

• 2022

  Join Project 2025 advisory boardStrategy

  Background

  Project 2025 assembled conservative organizations to develop policy proposals and personnel plans for a possible future federal administration.

  Action taken

  FRC became a member of the initiative’s advisory board.

  Aftermath

  The organization’s policy work became associated with a wider conservative governing agenda.

  Source

• 2013

  Appoint Josh Duggar to FRC ActionOther

  Background

  FRC Action sought an executive director for its legislative and grassroots advocacy operations.

  Action taken

  Josh Duggar was appointed executive director of FRC Action.

  Aftermath

  Duggar resigned in 2015 after reports about past sexual misconduct became public.

  Source

• 2013

  Support marriage restrictions in Supreme Court litigationOther

  Background

  FRC opposed federal recognition of same-sex marriages and supported California’s Proposition 8.

  Action taken

  The organization submitted or supported amicus arguments defending DOMA and Proposition 8.

  Aftermath

  The Supreme Court invalidated DOMA’s federal recognition restriction in Windsor and declined to restore Proposition 8 in Hollingsworth.

  Source

• 2003

  Tony Perkins assumes presidencyOther

  Background

  FRC sought continued leadership for its expanding evangelical policy and advocacy activities.

  Action taken

  Tony Perkins became president of the organization.

  Aftermath

  Perkins became FRC’s principal public spokesperson and continues to lead the group.

  Source

• 1992

  Separate from Focus on the FamilyStrategy

  Background

  FRC had operated as a Focus on the Family division since 1988, but the affiliation raised concerns about the larger ministry’s tax-exempt status and organizational structure.

  Action taken

  FRC resumed operation as an independent organization while retaining links to the evangelical policy movement.

  Aftermath

  The separation allowed FRC to develop its own Washington advocacy, research, and legislative identity.

  Source

1. 1Family Research Councilen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Family Research Council official websitefrc.org
3. 3Project 2025en.wikipedia.org