Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith joined demands for more financial transparency from Indiana University at the press conference on Jan. 15. (Devan Ridgway, WTIU)
(Devan Ridgway, WTIU)
Lawmakers and the lieutenant governor joined critics of Indiana University and the Kinsey Institute on Wednesday at a press conference in Indianapolis calling for more transparency from IU over the institute’s funding.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith,Comptroller Elise Nieshalla, Rep. Lorissa Sweet and Rep. Craig Haggard spoke at the rally hosted by Indiana’s Purple for Parents United at Zion Unity Baptist Church.
The institute was founded by Alfred Kinsey almost 80 years ago, and today it researches human sexuality, gender, reproduction and sexual violence.
The legislature passed a law in 2023 prohibiting public funding for the institute, with proponents alleging sexual abuse without evidence. The institute is still located on campus, paying for the space with donations and pledges. According to Kinsey’s 2023 annual report, supporters donated almost $4 million.
Beckwith told the small crowd that he and Gov. Mike Braun agree with the ideas shared.
“We will make sure that IU is in full transparency, that IU is not using taxpayer dollars to fund something that is rooted in this wickedness,” Beckwith said. “And we'll call it out.”
IU says it is complying with the law, cutting public money for the institute and answering government probes into financial plans.
On Wednesday, Sweet said the legislature’s “only recourse” is “the power of the purse.”
"It is the duty and obligation of Indiana University to provide the information we are asking for and prove that they are in compliance with the law,” Sweet said. “If they do not, it is up to the legislature to hold them accountable.”
An IU spokesperson referred to letters sent to Nieshalla and Attorney General Todd Rokita detailing IU’s efforts to comply with the law.
The university’s work includes isolating funding for the Kinsey Institute and blocking unapproved funding. A 2024 independent review of IU’s finances by accounting firm Plante Moran found the university is following the law.
Rep. Lorissa Sweet of Wabash led the charge to end state funding for Kinsey Institute in 2023. At a Jan.15 press conference at Zion Unity Bapist Church, Sweet said she wants the legislature to hold Indiana University accountable. (Devan Ridgway, WTIU)
In addition to the Indiana leaders, local pastors, Purple for Parents United CEO Rhonda Miller and former Rep. Cindy Noe delivered remarks at the rally. The speakers frequently referenced conspiracy theories and unproven accusations surrounding Kinsey’s relationship with Nazis, Jeffery Epstein and pedophile networks.
When announcing the press conference on social media, Purple of Parents United said they are calling on the legislature to defund IU. But in later social media posts, the group said it is “addressing the need for transparency and accountability” from IU. While avoiding talk of “defunding” IU, speakers still often referred to the “power of the purse.”
“People want to say, well, this is just an attack on IU. It's an attack on education,” Beckwith said. “No, it's not. We're doing this out of love.”
Haggard said he wasn’t making any accusations against Kinsey or the institute, but he still believes IU isn’t being transparent about funding.
“I'm here to say we put a law into place because our constituents — I know mine — overwhelmingly wanted us to not fund the (institute), and those laws are supposed to be followed,” Haggard said.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright.
