Former Wisconsin University Chancellor Fired Over Adult Entertainment Career Sues for Reinstatement
Joe Gow argues his dismissal from UW-La Crosse violated his constitutional right to free speech and seeks to return as a professor.
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MADISON, Wis. — A former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, who was fired after his involvement in the adult entertainment industry became public, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, aiming to be reinstated as a professor at the university.
Joe Gow’s case has attracted widespread attention due to the controversy surrounding a high-ranking university official's participation in adult films and openly discussing it. The case also raises important questions about free speech rights for public employees.
A spokesperson for the University of Wisconsin System, Mark Pitsch, declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, stating the system does not address ongoing litigation.
Gow Fired After Porn Hobby Exposed
The university's Board of Regents removed Gow from his chancellor position in December 2023 after an anonymous complaint revealed his involvement in creating and starring in adult videos with his wife, Carmen Wilson. The complaint also referenced their YouTube channel, "Sexy Healthy Cooking," where they discuss sexual topics, as well as two e-books they published under pseudonyms about how pornography has enriched their relationship.
Gow had a tenured position as a communications professor at UW-La Crosse, which he hoped would serve as a fallback. However, after his dismissal as chancellor, then-interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan placed him on paid leave, preventing him from assuming his faculty role. In September 2024, the university officially terminated Gow’s professorship, citing unethical conduct, violations of his contract, and harm to the university’s reputation.
Despite the controversy, Gow has not apologized for his involvement in producing pornography, noting that he and his wife had not produced new episodes of their YouTube series since the summer of 2023. He admitted the venture had been costly but expressed satisfaction with their work and even indicated they would consider future opportunities in the adult entertainment industry.
Lawsuit Alleges Violation of Free Speech Rights
In his lawsuit, Gow argues that his firing from his professor role violated his First Amendment rights. He contends that the videos and books he and his wife created were not obscene or illegal and were produced on personal time, separate from his duties at the university. Gow insists he did not use his position at UW-La Crosse to promote the content or encourage students or colleagues to view or purchase the material.
The lawsuit seeks a court order reinstating Gow as a professor, along with compensation for lost wages and damages. "As a public employee, Dr. Gow has a First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen on issues of public concern, such as healthy human sexuality and the best ways to promote strong monogamous marriages," the lawsuit states.
Gow filed the lawsuit on the first day of the spring semester at UW-La Crosse, explaining that he should have been in the classroom.
Faculty Committee Found Ethical Violations
While a faculty committee at UW-La Crosse did not find it unethical for Gow to produce adult content, it did accuse him of exploiting his faculty position to generate additional attention and revenue for the videos. The committee pointed out that Gow invited adult film star Nina Hartley to speak on campus in 2018 without revealing his personal involvement with her in an adult film. The committee also criticized his “intellectual honesty” in presenting the e-books as factual accounts despite acknowledging the use of "creative liberties." Additionally, they questioned his refusal to fully cooperate with the investigation. Gow maintains that he offered to provide written responses to the committee's inquiries.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the balance between public employee conduct, academic freedom, and free speech in the context of personal activities outside of the workplace.