Porn talk Thursday

By Meg Walsh

Published Feb. 21, 2006

A feminist writer and a porn star will face off at 8 p.m. Thursday in Jesse Auditorium.

Adult film actor Ron Jeremy, star of more than 1,000 adult films, and Susan G. Cole, author of "Pornography and the Sex Crisis," will debate the role of pornography in society.

Nick Trusty, director of the Department of Student Activities, said he hopes the event will prompt thoughts about pornography's role in life and society.

"The intellectual debate should create thought within students," Trusty said. "I hope it will be fun and informative for students."

Bringing the pair to MU cost $9,000, said Brenda Escobar, chairwoman of the DSA Speakers Committee.

"Many campuses have extreme opinions about porn and women's roles in porn," Escobar said. "I asked around, and many students and speakers recommended this debate. The other option was a Christian Fellowship leader, but the event wasn't as highly attended in other campuses."

Escobar said the Missouri Students Association hopes the event will be educational and that students will be able to meet two strongly opinionated and experienced individuals.

The debate has toured other college campuses.