University chancellor in Wisconsin canned for starring in porn movie with wife, says he's protected by First Amendment

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chancellor Joe Gow was fired for starring in porn movies with his wife. The former chancellor contends that he can star in adult X-rated movies as a porn actor because of the First Amendment.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents unanimously decided to fire Gow as chancellor on Wednesday. Gow , 63, was canned from his position after adult videos surfaced of him and his wife appearing in porn movies.

University of Wisconsin president Jay Rothman said in a statement: "In recent days, we learned of specific conduct by Dr. Gow that has subjected the university to significant reputational harm. His actions were abhorrent."

UW System Board of Regents president Karen Walsh added, "We are alarmed, and disgusted, by his actions, which were wholly and undeniably inconsistent with his role as chancellor."

Gow argued that his porn star career is protected by the First Amendment, and that he thought the board would have been "more understanding."

“I did not expect that we’d end up where we are now,” Gow told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I thought the board, given their staunch support of free speech, would be a little more understanding. But clearly, that’s not the case."

"I would say that anything that I do or my wife and I do, we do as citizens in the United States, who have the freedom of the First Amendment in the Constitution, to create and publish books and videos that explore consensual adult sexuality," the ex-chancellor said.

"I just think we have people on the board that say they’re for free speech, but they really aren't." contended Gow – La Crosse’s second-longest-serving chancellor. "And I don’t know how they will explain this."

Gow said he had no regrets in filming the adult movies with his wife, and noted that no university property or funds were used in the creation of the X-rated films.

"So someone else would have to make those associations," Gow said. "And then someone would have to say those are problematic."

Gow found himself in hot water five years ago when he invited an adult film star, Nina Hartley, to speak on campus as part of "Free Speech Week."

Hartley's lecture was titled: "Fantasy versus reality: Viewing adult media with a critical eye." The lecture reportedly drew 75 attendees.

Then-UW System president Ray Cross slammed Goww for exercising "poor judgment," and then denied him a pay raise.

Gow personally reimbursed the $5,000 speaker's fee – which was initially withdrawn from his office’s discretionary fund.

Gow stood by his decision, and emailed Hartley a week later to say her lecture was "without a doubt the most original and thought-provoking presentation I’ve seen in my 12 years at our university."

Earlier this year, Gow told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the lecture was a stimulating discussion regarding an uncomfortable topic.

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