Bob CollinsUpon further review, Joe Gow, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chancellor, has determined it wasn’t a good idea for him to invite a porn star to come to campus to speak. But he blames the media.
Nina Hartley, an adult film actress, was invited to speak as part of Free Speech Day in October but couldn’t make it until this month.
About 70 students showed up to hear her speak on female empowerment and the necessity of consent, as well as the importance of distinguishing porn from reality, the La Crosse Tribune said.
“There’s no one like her in terms of her background as a performer and educator, and her role as an activist,” Gow said. “I think the world would be a better place if we were more open about human sexuality … and how it plays a healthy role in people’s lives.”
But her appearance wasn’t listed on any calendars, and no press releases were issued regarding her speech, for which she was paid $5,000.
“This was a real value for $5,000, and a rare perspective we don’t hear every day,” Gow told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel a week ago.
“It’s essential, and gets to the heart of free expression. Sexuality is a basic human experience and we are really skittish about talking about it. There are many problems around sexuality and the only way to address them is to talk about them.”
Gow said in a statement that he kept things relatively quiet because he didn’t want sensational coverage from local media.
That’s what he got, however.
“Regrettably, in many media headlines and accounts the speaker’s profession completely overwhelmed her message,” he said in a statement obtained by the newspaper. “I admit that in inviting her to present at our university I was naive about this possibility, and I have learned much from it.”
He said he will personally compensate the university’s discretionary fund for the speaker fee paid to Hartley.
