The name Kirk Franklin has come to be associated with modern gospel music. He was raised by his aunt, Gertrude, who would play a crucial part in his life, and was raised in a dysfunctional home. He was born on January 26, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas. Franklin, despite having a difficult background, turned to music for solace and started singing and playing the piano at a young age.
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At the age of four, Franklin began playing the piano at his neighborhood church, which marked the beginning of his musical career. He soon fell in love with music and started writing his own tunes. He founded the gospel ensemble “The Humble Hearts” when he was a teenager, and they began performing in churches all around Texas.
This gospel singer used his influence to make the Black Church accept the LGBTQ community. Some praised him for it but others opposed it, which could be the reason why there are rumors with regards to his sexuality. Is Kirk Franklin gay? Read on to find out the full story.
VOTE: What is Kirk Franklin’s Sexuality?
A God-Centered Relationship
Kirk Franklin was in a relationship with Shawn Ewing before getting married to Tammy Franklin. He was 17 when he got Shawn Ewing pregnant. Ewing was a public speaker and a philanthropic developer. She gave birth to their son in 1988 and they named him Kerrion. Both Franklin and Ewing had a hard time with their relationship and being teen parents. It eventually led to a breakup.
Kirk Franklin married Tammy Franklin in 1996. The couple has been married for over 25 years and has two children together. Both had a child from their previous relationship. Franklin has spoken openly about the challenges they have faced in their marriage, including his struggles with pornography addiction at an early age. After sharing it with his wife Tammy, her support has been overwhelming and he has been the most loving person, as per Franklin. However, he has also credited his faith and his commitment to his family for helping him overcome these challenges and build a strong, lasting relationship with his wife.
There have been rumors that Kirk Franklin was cheating on Tammy with a secret girlfriend. However, Kirk denied this rumor and said that being unfaithful to his wife is comparable to being unfaithful to God. He even advised men not to cheat on their kids and the Kingdom of God for someone “newer”.
He had an interview with BET about their relationship and said:
We were young, I was dumb, she came from a good family, I had NO family, but she was patient; not stupid. A prime example of how a good woman can change a man without breaking him down. My past was sketchy… she knew that. She didn’t compromise her standard but helped me reach it. Every song you’ve heard over the last 20 years, she wrote it. She was every lyric, every key change spelled her name. We’ve seen dark days together, but we saw them, TOGETHER. Men can be dumb at times, and want what’s newer, fresher, or what our other “head” thinks is better… But to fail Tammy, is to fail God. To cheat on Tammy is to cheat on the kingdom, my children, and even you… Those who trust me to chase Christ with everything I got. I’m not, but I’m still in love… with Tammy. Happy 20th anniversary baby! See bae I did it without saying something nasty!”
Well, that’s a relationship worth fighting for!
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Supporting the LGBTQ Community
As we all know, Franklin is active with the Black Church. And for years, the Black Church has not been supportive of the LGBTQ community. But now, Franklin stood up. He’s a respected member of the religious community and apologized on their behalf.
I want to apologize for all of the hurtful and painful things that have been said about people in the church that have been talented and gifted and musical, that we’ve used and we’ve embarrassed… and all this other horrible crap that we’ve done.”
he said in an interview with The Grio
We have not treated them like people. We’re talking about human beings, men and women that God has created.”
he added
He wrapped it all by saying that he wants all members of the LGBTQ community to know that God is in their corner.
I mean, you want to talk about things that God gets at… pride and jealousy and envy and arrogance.”
But what we also see is God sending his son to save us all, because we were all… straight, gay or whatever, lost and in need of a savior, and there’s room at the cross for all of us.”
the gospel singer added
With regard to his sexuality, Kirk Franklin is surely straight. But there have been speculations about his eldest son Kerrion Franklin being gay. However, there is no confirmation of this rumor.
Is Kirk Franklin Gay?
No, Kirk Franklin is not gay. Although he supports the LGBTQ community, his sexual preference is straight. He’s happily married to his wife, Tammy Collins.