Kirk Franklin is once again the centre of conversation—this time for choosing love over judgement. The gospel superstar, who has spent decades shaping modern church music, appeared on Reality With The King and delivered one of his most vulnerable, emotionally charged interviews yet.
The conversation stretched across family wounds, faith, sexuality, and the long-standing tension between Christianity and the LGBTQ community. Franklin, who has been dealing with public accusations from his eldest son Kerrion Franklin, used the moment to clarify not just his heart, but his theology.
He explained that he has never understood homophobia, saying, “If homosexuality is a sin, then adultery is a sin, fornication is a sin, divorce is a sin, and none of them are bigger than the other. That’s why I have never understood homophobia.”
For Franklin, faith isn’t selective. It isn’t a weapon. It isn’t a hierarchy of sins. It is something rooted in compassion and humility.
“I don’t understand how we do not see ourselves as sick patients that all need the doctor,” he said. “I don’t understand how I could ever have time to have conversations about who you’re sleeping with.”
Instead of condemnation, Franklin emphasized invitation. “I can’t condemn you and invite you at the same time. I’m trying to win people. I’m trying to win my son. I’m trying to win my family. I’m trying to win people to Jesus. I’m trying to show people the love and grace of God.”
A Father Trying to Save His Son
Much of the interview focused on his relationship with Kerrion, who identifies as bisexual and has publicly accused his father of various wrongs. Their conflict spilled into headlines in recent years, including a leaked phone call where Franklin was heard angrily cussing at him.
But behind the drama lies a grieving father. Franklin described watching his son “deteriorate” emotionally and mentally, despite every attempt to intervene.
“I’ve spent the money. I’ve done all the rehabs. We’ve done the begging. We’ve done the pleading. I’ve done the fighting. I’ve done the cussing,” he said, noting that none of it will matter until Kerrion chooses healing for himself.
Even so, Franklin refuses to let the story end in bitterness. “There is a community of people that cannot sleep until he wins. We will not be okay until he’s well.”
He delivered a message directly to his son: “There will never be any situation in your life that I will ever stop loving you. I will love who you love and I will stand where you stand.”
He admitted they won’t always agree—but insisted that disagreement cannot erase love. To Franklin, love must be “the leading narrative.”
A Plea for Grace
Throughout the interview, he described Kerrion as a genius, a “beautiful soul,” and someone whose absence is deeply felt within the family.
“There is unlimited love available to him,” Franklin said. “It’s there—from mama to daddy to pawpaw and nana. That’s my firstborn and I miss him. We miss him.”
The conversation revealed a man who is both spiritually grounded and emotionally raw—someone trying to reconcile public pressure, private pain, and a calling rooted in compassion.
Franklin’s stance is clear: faith should never be an excuse for fear or hate. Love, he insists, must come first.
