Transgendered Porn Star to Speak at Major Liberal Arts College

If you haven't heard of Williams College, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, you're not alone. It's one of America's best-kept educational secrets. In fact, it's literally the number one liberal arts college in America, according to the vaunted US News and World Report. However, that reputation for educational excellence might soon be in jeopardy, given its rather questionable taste in speakers to come talk to students. Fox News picks up this story of how a diversity-oriented slush fund and some uncommon notions about academic credibility have combined to produce a PR nightmare for the school:

Colleges and universities have been known to push the envelope when it comes to inviting controversial figures to campuses, and Williams College, a prestigious private institution in western Massachusetts, is the latest -- by inviting a porn star.

The speaker, Jiz Lee, is described in the college calendar advertising the event as "an award-winning genderqueer performer, author, artist and pleasure activist." Friday night, a sample of the performer's work is scheduled to be shown on campus followed by a discussion with students.[...]

Critics of the porn star's visit have questioned the administration's judgment and funding of the event, but Williams College officials say the money is coming from a specific endowment received 20 years ago that focuses on education regarding human sexuality and orientation issues.

Founded in 1991 through a gift from Mike Dively, a 1961 graduate, the Dively Committee for Human Sexuality and Diversity is made up of faculty, staff and students who plan events each year. Bisexual activists, gay athletes, transgender performers and a wide variety of others have been welcomed to speak.

One wonders what sort of person this Dively fellow was, if he donated money specifically to bring these types of speakers to campus. As for Ms. Jiz Lee, we obviously can't link to any of her...professional work. However, her Twitter Feed has some points of interest:

And look at that, she even responded to Fox News' coverage!It took some work to find a photo of Ms. Lee we could show you that wasn't explicit, but just in case you're wondering, this is the woman in question (pictured with her boyfriend):