(La Crosse, Wisconsin) — Adult film star and sex educator Nina Hartley lectured UW-La Crosse students on the realities of adult entertainment and the benefits of people taking ownership of their sexuality during a speaking engagement at the university on Thursday.
Her 90-minute talk, which drew about 70 students to Centennial Hall, went on despite opposition from some students and staff, who raised concerns about the message her appearance would send.
“The word ‘pornography’ has such a pejorative connotation — it’s been caught up in a lot of emotionally charged conversations,” said Hartley, who touched on everything from female empowerment, to the necessity of consent, to the importance of differentiating porn from reality.
“It’s important that you view all media with a critical eye,” she said — and doubly so for adult media, she added.
Hartley, who also fielded questions, told the crowd that communication is key during sexual encounters, that it can preserve feelings and personal safety. She assured students that everyone develops at their own pace, that it’s OK to say yes and OK to say no, and that comparing people based on sexual experience is unproductive.
She also made clear that she views porn as safe, consensual fantasy — fantasy that will intrigue some and offend others.
“I wouldn’t normally go to a barn on a Tuesday morning to have sex on a hay bale. It’s my job, and we’re professionals,” Hartley said. “It’s OK to like porn. It’s OK to not like porn. And it’s OK to be confused by porn. You are where you are, and you are who you are.”
[Here’s my favorite part of the article — ed.]:
Earlier this week, several UW-La Crosse officials called the Tribune to question both the value of Hartley’s appearance and the unusually covert way the university promoted it (none agreed to speak on the record), especially since the talk was part of National Freedom of Speech Week.
The event did not appear on the university’s online events calendar and, unlike many events, was not made known to the press. It was promoted only on the digital signs on campus.
[With censorious (not to mention cowardly) idiots installed at the University, no wonder the organizers didn’t publicize the event. — ed.]
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