Note: None of the links in this diary are to adult material. But the subject is porn, and companies have triggers. So treat them as NSFW to be safe.
Joe Gow (63), the ex-Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, is both a consumer and creator of pornography. He also posts non-X-rated material made with his wife, Carmen Wilson (56), to his Twitter page @SexyHappyCouple. They describe themselves as a “Passionate plant-powered couple cooking, conversing, and shooting with top adult video stars” — and invite their fans to “Visit our LoyalFans and OnlyFans sites for fully explicit scenes!” (Sorry, I do not have those links).
The sexy cooking couple has had a social media presence for at least five years. But the senior management of the University of Wisconsin has only just become aware of Gow’s extra-curricular activities — although he has not hidden his proclivities. It took until this Wednesday for them to take action against the carnal gourmet.
Back in 2018, Gow paid adult star Nina Hartley $5,000 from the University’s discretionary funds to give a speech on campus about pornography. During her 90-minute talk, the “My Bare Lady” actress assured students that it is “OK to like porn,” and discussed her decades-long career in the adult film industry.
It turns out that the University of Wisconsin disagrees that it is OK to like porn. Or at least they do not believe one of their Chancellors should be posting personal X-rated videos. They fired him from his management position. However, Gow is also a tenured professor. And under the rules, he still has his teaching gig.
In a press release, University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman referred to “conduct by Dr. Gow that has subjected the university to significant reputational harm. His actions were abhorrent.” This is a classic example of the ‘Streisand effect’. I warrant that most of the University’s “reputational harm” will come from the publicity around Gow’s firing, not from his hobby.
Rothman added, “In addition, an outside law firm has been engaged to undertake a fulsome investigation of the matter.” Three thoughts. One, this is a classic example of an academic using the passive voice to dodge responsibility. Two, no one seems to be denying the facts, and the evidence is evident. So why are they wasting money on an investigation? Three, if you mean ‘full,’ just say so. Do not assume the rarer word is better simply because it sounds like it might be.
UW System Regent President Karen Walsh also weighed in. She wrote, “The outrage over his behavior is evidenced by the unanimous vote by the UW Board of Regents to terminate him as chancellor.” I will take her at her word that the Board of Regents was outraged. But absent any additional information, her statement provides no evidence anyone else was.
In response, Gow claims the University has denied him his First Amendment rights. Wisconsin Public Radio reported:
“In an interview Thursday, Gow said the books and videos they made were produced as private citizens under their First Amendment rights, noting they didn't refer to Gow's position as chancellor. Even so, Gow indicated they would be protected under the board’s policy on academic freedom and freedom of expression, adding the policy protects ideas even if people disagree or find them "repugnant."
We can add this prurient furor to the First Amendment issues raised by the passionate anti-Israeli rhetoric on University campuses. However, sane people will distinguish between pro-genocidal talk and a bit of internet how’s-your-father with a culinary twist.
Regardless, the law is what the law is. And the courts will sort it out — if it gets that far. (It won’t). Gow anticipated the reaction should his conjugal adventurism become public. In their 2015 book, “Monogamy with Benefits: How Porn Enriches Our Relationship,” the couple, using the noms de plume, Geri and Jay Hart, wrote:
“We think our sex is beautiful and have no qualms at all about other people watching us make love. But our establishment colleagues likely would be shocked to watch us complete the full carnal process – particularly with professional porn stars – and we’re fairly certain we’d be shunned in our community.”
I do not know about their community, but they certainly got the Puritan treatment from his employer.
There was a time in America when Gow and his wife’s voluntary behavior would have been a scandal of the first order. But we now live in a country where a large section of the electorate thinks it is no biggie that a once and possibly future President is a self-confessed pussy-grabber. Who a civil jury has judged a rapist. And is facing criminal charges for paying off a porn star to hide an adulterous relationship in which he cheated on the mother of his newborn son.
And a majority of sanctimonious evangelical moralists are OK with that.