Ex-University Chancellor Defends Right to be an OnlyFans Creator

Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow has publicly defended his involvement in creating and posting adult content with his wife, Carmen Wilson, following his termination from the university. The couple’s explicit videos, posted under the name “Sexy Happy Couple,” have sparked significant debate over the boundaries of academic freedom and personal privacy.

Gow, 63, was dismissed from his position last December after an anonymous source forwarded the couple’s adult videos to the president of the UW System. Officials at the university accused Gow of “unethical and potentially illegal” behavior, citing violations of the university’s policies, including the failure to report income from the content and using his public position for private benefit.

The couples OnlyFans page “Happy Sexy Couple” has since gone viral.

The scandal has had a profound impact on Gow’s life, both personally and professionally. He has faced public scrutiny and had challenging conversations with his family. Despite this, Gow and Wilson have gained a loyal following online, producing content that combines their passions for vegan cooking and adult entertainment.

Initially, the couple created videos for their private use, but in May 2023, Gow announced his plans to retire and focus on his “YouTube cooking show” with Wilson. This announcement emboldened them to post their content on platforms like OnlyFans and LoyalFans. However, the virality of their videos led to Gow’s swift termination as chancellor.

Joe Gow oversaw a university with 10,700 students and 1,450 faculty and staff, managing a $95 million annual budget. He was credited with maintaining high enrollment numbers despite national trends of declining college admissions. His firing has ignited a legal battle over his right to continue as a tenured professor.

The University of Wisconsin System is attempting to revoke Gow’s tenure, a process that typically requires just cause, such as sexual assault or harassment. Gow argues that his dismissal violates his First Amendment rights, stating, “Tenure exists so that faculty can challenge social mores and raise questions and do things that are controversial and oftentimes unpopular.”

Legal experts are divided on whether Joe Gow’s First Amendment rights protect his employment. Public universities can discipline employees for speech made in an official capacity, but faculty members retain the right to speak as private citizens on matters of public concern. Gow maintains that his adult content was created in a personal capacity and did not reference his university role.

Gow and Wilson have since removed their videos from free platforms, now charging for access on OnlyFans. They estimate they have earned $77,000 from their content but have spent $80,000 producing it. Despite the financial loss, the couple remains committed to their endeavor, seeing it as a means to promote sexual freedom and challenge societal norms.

The couple’s journey into adult entertainment began with private recordings and evolved into a public endeavor after encouragement from friends and a video editor. Their content often features them with other participants, emphasizing consensual and respectful interactions. They also aim to “unobjectify” escorts by featuring them in non-sexual contexts, such as cooking vegan meals together.

Gow’s case has escalated to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, which will ultimately decide his fate. The former chancellor remains defiant, insisting that his actions are protected under the First Amendment.

“We’re in this for the long run, and we look forward to a public hearing,” he said. “It really is kind of suffocating at some level to just not be able to be who you are.”

Despite the controversy, Gow and Wilson have found a sense of liberation in their new venture. They believe their work can help change the conversation around sex and intimacy, fostering a more positive and open dialogue.

As the case unfolds, it raises important questions about the limits of academic freedom, personal privacy, and the role of public figures in private endeavors. The outcome could have significant implications for university policies and the broader discussion of personal rights versus professional responsibilities.

You can follow the former University professor and his wife on X at @sexyhappycouple.