Journalists Win Release of Documents Tracing Right-Wing Funding For Texas Gay Marriage Study

http://www.alternet.org/investigations/journalists-win-release-documents-tracing-right-wing-funding-texas-gay-marriage-study



The University of Texas at Austin has begun releasing university records surrounding UT sociology professor Mark Regnerus’ controversial “New Family Structures Study,” following the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s recent ruling in favor of an American Independent records request.

Shortly after Regnerus’ initial findings were published in June 2012, TAI filed multiple open-records requests with UT for documents and communications related to the study. It has taken numerous months, with the university arguing that the requested information was not subject to the state’s open records law. UT made various arguments asserting that all of the requested information was exempt from disclosure, such as citing an internal investigation over the study, arguing that technological and scientific information requested was proprietary, and arguing that some of the requested communications were personal.

In December the attorney general issued an opinion that UT had to turn over a number of the documents, the first batch of which was released to TAI today.

We’ll make these documents available after we review them.