The article features a candid interview in which Kulkis shares his thoughts on 1st Amendment protection, obscenity and crossing over into the mainstream world. It is entitled, "Free Expression, Pornography and the Mainstreaming of Adult Entertainment: Mark Kulkis and the New Voice of the Adult Video Industry."
The article is one of several adult-related pieces published to challenge anti-porn sentiments that so often dominate academic journals and the mainstream media.
Kulkis told XBIZ he was pleasantly surprised at the two professors, since he had never dealt with "academics" before.
"They were fully behind the 1st Amendment right to make adult movies," Kulkis said.
Calvert and Richards chose to speak with Kulkis after reading a review Kulkis had written for the Los Angeles Daily Journal regarding a recent book written by anti-porn feminist Catharine MacKinnon.
Calvert said he was impressed by how well written and reasoned the article was, and he and Richards immediately contacted the paper to get Kulkis' contact information. After interviewing him over lunch at the Chateau Marmont, the two professors realized they had enough content for a full academic article.
Calvert said one of the reasons Kulkis became the piece's sole focus is because of his unique background and younger perspective on the industry.
"He drew on his public relations background to cross over [to the mainstream]," Richards told XBIZ. "It is fascinating that he's so young, yet he's experienced and savvy enough to make this all work for him."
Kulkis gained notoriety in 2003 when he promoted porn star Mary Carey in her run for California's governorship, appearing at a White House fundraising dinner and booking her on "The Daily Show" with John Stewart. Kulkis, Carey and Kick Ass were a regular focus of mainstream media attention.
"He really put his company in the spotlight," Richards said.
The full article can be read here.
