Although the couple have made explicit videos together for years, they had only decided to post them online in the past two months, and said that they had been pleased by the response from viewers.
Dr Gow said that the board members who decided to terminate his employment were “not following their own policy on academic freedom and freedom of speech”.
He added: “They also don’t seem to realise that the First Amendment would be critical in this situation.”
But Mr Rothman said that it was “ridiculous” to argue that the First Amendment allows employees a “free pass” to do whatever they want online.
“We expect our chancellors, as the leaders of these great institutions, to be role models for our students, staff and faculty as well for the communities we are privileged to serve,” he said.
Dr Gow could now sue the university for an alleged breach of his rights. A 2004 US Supreme Court ruling on the sacking of a San Diego police officer who had filmed pornographic content ruled that his free speech rights had not been breached, because the right to free expression did not extend to such explicit content.
The couple’s sex videos were all posted on pornographic websites, including PornHub and XHamster, in the past two months.
In one of their books, published while their pornographic hobby was still anonymous, the couple wrote: “We think our sex is beautiful and have no qualms at all about other people watching us make love.
“But our establishment colleagues likely would be shocked to watch us complete the full carnal process – particularly with professional porn stars – and we’re fairly certain we’d be shunned in our community.”
Dr Gow has previously been criticised for his interest in pornography. In 2018, he was denied a pay rise by the university after he invited an adult actress to give a talk about the industry as part of “Free Speech Week”.
His termination ends a 17-year career as chancellor of the university, which is on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border and has about 10,000 students.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
