Joe Gow of the University of Wisconsin System believes his free speech rights were violated when they fired him for appearing in porn videos made and distributed under his wife’s account, “Sexy Happy Couple”. These videos did not reference UW-La Crosse and did not involve university staff members during production.
What Happened?
On Wednesday, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents fired UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow after it was discovered he films and appears in sexually explicit videos with his wife Carmen Wilson under their usernames “Sexy Happy Couple” posted to websites such as OnlyFans and Pornhub.
University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and Board of Regents Chair Karen Walsh issued a joint statement calling Gow’s actions “reprehensible.” According to them, regents discovered specific conduct which exposed the university to significant harm.
Gow asserted in his videos that no mention was made of his university position or use of school funds was utilized to create them, thereby violating his free speech rights and justifying firing him as being against free speech principles.
Gow recently told 12 News that he is considering all options available to him, though he would not confirm any legal action against the board. According to Gow, there was no due process followed before making his decision of firing; only receiving news through an email on Wednesday night and not being given the chance to present his side before being told in private meetings behind closed doors.
Why Was Joe Gow Fired?
On Wednesday, the University of Wisconsin System board unanimously voted to fire Joe Gow, chancellor of UW-La Crosse since 2007. This move follows discovery that both Joe Gow and Carmen Wilson appeared in pornographic videos online.
The board expressed alarm and displeasure over his actions, which they believed to be “utterly and entirely inconsistent” with those expected of a chancellor. Gow claims he never received notice of which specific policies he violated; furthermore his firing violates his free speech rights and thus should be invalid.
Gow maintains that he funded and produced his books and videos with his own money; no university resources or property were involved. Furthermore, Gow never mentioned UW-La Crosse in any videos and thus his participation is protected under First Amendment laws. UW System President Jay Rothman filed a formal complaint with interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan to review Gow’s tenured faculty status, engaging an outside law firm to further investigate.
What Can I Do?
Rebecca Blank was a pioneer both in her field and academic leadership. She established new partnerships between UW campuses and communities, championed student affordability including freezing tuition fees for in-state students, led the university through budget battles, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and was welcomed with open arms at campus send offs by Bucky Badger himself!
Gow claims he was unaware of how officials learned of his online content; and believes his firing violates his freedom of speech rights; he’s considering legal action as no policy was ever broken nor was there an opportunity for defense.
Who Made the Decision?
Thursday afternoon, both the university’s president and vice president issued statements that did not provide much detail as to why Gow was fired, only stating that regents had determined he had violated certain policies of the university. Gow has been quoted by numerous news sources denying this assertion while accusing them of overreacting.
He claims no university property or funds were used to produce these books and videos on his own time; additionally, none mentioned his position as UW-La Crosse Chancellor; his firing therefore violated his free speech rights.
Gow has not always avoided controversy. In 2018, he made headlines for inviting porn star Nina Hartley to campus and hosting her speech, where she told students it was OK to like porn and that not liking it wasn’t okay; then-UW system president Ray Cross reprimanded this decision and denied him an annual raise as punishment. Gow and his wife run a YouTube channel where they cook healthy food with porn stars.
