On Monday, we launched our petition to protect sexuality studies and the vital role that sexuality research plays in contributing accurate, scientific evidence to policy and interventions. In 36 hours, we've collected over 1,000 signatures from students, researchers, advocates and others across the country. Sign it now if you haven't already. And forward it to five friends.

This afternoon, two of the researchers targeted in the GSU probe will testify before the Georgia State Senate Committee on Higher Education--Mindy Stombler, whose research on oral sex informs our understanding of what oral sex is, and thus can contribute to STI prevention and adolescent health interventions, and Kirk Elifson, whose work on male prostitution has improved the efficacy of HIV interventions.

It is offensive, first, that academics and universitives must defend their right to perform rigorous scientific inquiry in any field. It is also offensive that legislators have cloaked their moral agenda as a fiscal one. But what is most offensive is how both the media and the legislators are misrepresenting the researchers and GSU in their efforts to stoke a moral panic.