Witherspoon Institute controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2012
New Family Structures Study
The institute's funding of Mark Regnerus's study of LGBT parenting led to criticism from professional scientific organizations and scholars. Critics challenged the study's methodology and argued that its findings were used to undermine the legitimacy and civil rights of LGBT families. The University of Texas reviewed the matter without opening a formal research-misconduct investigation, while its sociology department publicly characterized the research as fundamentally flawed.
2012
Controversial reproductive-technology commentary
An article published through Public Discourse by Alana Newman, addressing reproductive technologies and gay parenting, drew criticism for comparing gay parents with sexual predators. The episode formed part of broader debate over the institute's positions on egg and sperm donation, surrogacy, and family structure.