Despite being demoted from his role as chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse last year due to his involvement in X-rated “vegan cooking” videos with porn stars, Joe Gow is still making more than $90,000 a year as a communications professor. His annual income dropped significantly from $263,000 to approximately $92,000, but he continues to create explicit content as a hobby, claiming it does not pay the bills.
Gow, 64, is currently on paid leave and not allowed on campus. He is facing charges of unethical conduct, failing to cooperate with an investigation, and using school computers to produce pornographic materials. The charges are related to explicit e-books he wrote with his wife under pseudonyms, but Gow insists that the content never mentioned his role at the university. He believes the Regents Board violated his free speech rights by firing him and that being relieved of his teaching duties will harm his career.
Despite facing backlash for his X-rated content, Gow maintains that what he does with his wife is their own business and should not affect his teaching career. Known online as the “Sexy Happy Couple,” they promote themselves as a sex-positive couple advocating for free expression. While some students support him, others believe that his involvement in the porn industry makes him unfit to teach young adults and perpetuates an industry that victimizes individuals, including minors.
Gow insists that his work in the porn industry is ethical and does not involve cheating or harming anyone. He views it as a way to enhance his marriage and openly express his love for his wife. He has not hired an attorney and plans to represent himself in the upcoming hearing to determine whether he can return to the classroom. Despite the financial repercussions of his demotion, Gow remains proud of his on-camera sex adventures and the impact it has had on his relationship with his wife.
The controversy surrounding Gow’s involvement in the porn industry has divided the student body and the city of La Crosse, sparking a debate over whether his activities make him unsuitable to shape the minds of college students. While some argue that his personal choices should not affect his teaching abilities, others believe that his actions contribute to an industry that exploits individuals. Despite the mixed opinions, Gow remains committed to standing by his work and defending his right to engage in adult content creation.
As he prepares for the upcoming hearing, Gow emphasizes that the burden of proof lies on the university to show that he acted inappropriately. He expresses pride in the content he has created with his wife, viewing it as a way to enhance their relationship and promote openness. While his involvement in the porn industry has not been financially lucrative, Gow remains steadfast in his belief that his actions are ethical and a personal choice that should not impact his ability to continue teaching at the university.
