Executive Director of IU’s Kinsey Institute Justin Garcia spoke up Wednesday in a Washington Post opinion piece against an amendment to the state budget that blocks state funding for his program. 

The gender studies professor defended the value of research conducted at Kinsey and condemned the state’s attack as “an unprecedented action that takes aim at the very foundation of academic freedom.” 

The budget amendment introduced in February by freshman Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) made its way into the state’s final budget passed in May. Garcia referenced a WFIU-WTIU story quoting Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) describing Sweet’s allegations against Kinsey as “warmed-over internet memes.” 

IU has been cautious in its response. President Pamela Whitten made a statement supporting Kinsey at the end of April after the budget was adopted, but the university refrained from public comment while the legislature was in session.  

Garcia offered some personal sentiments in his piece. “I am optimistic that this latest culture war will pass. And the Kinsey Institute will carry on,” Garcia wrote. “But I worry what the future will look like, for our institute and others — and for the students and researchers who rely on us — should state legislatures continue to act on misinformation around sexuality.”