XBIZ News Editor Speaks at UC Santa Barbara on 'War on Porn'

XBIZ News Editor Speaks at UC Santa Barbara on 'War on Porn'

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — XBIZ News Editor Gustavo Turner spoke yesterday about the “War on Porn” as part of professor Constance Penley’s film and media studies class on pornography at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Professor Penley is past chair of UCSB's film and media studies department, founding director of the Carsey-Wolf Center for media research and an acclaimed scholar who has been a pioneer in researching and teaching in the cultural studies field of porn studies.

Her noted four-unit elective class, Topics in Popular Culture: Pornography, in the UCSB film and media studies department, covers three tracks with academic rigor: a history of moving-image pornographies, a survey of methods for studying pornographies and an exploration of the contemporary adult industry and its workers.

In an interview-format presentation moderated by professor Penley’s students, Turner covered current issues of censorship in the U.S. and worldwide, political and legislative topics — including Section 230 and FOSTA/SESTA — sex worker rights, diversity and representation, and the current economics and status of the contemporary adult industry.

Students also asked questions about Turner’s scholarly background, his professional career as a writer and journalist in both mainstream and adult industry media, and his other career as a thriving art photographer.

Professor Penley described Turner’s visit as “stimulating” and said his contextualization of the adult business in the current social, political and cultural landscape was “exactly everything they needed to hear as an introduction to help make the rest of the class make sense.”

“I could not have more admiration for professor Penley — a fellow UC Berkeley alum — and her pioneering work not only in porn studies, but also in feminist film studies, avant garde film, fan culture studies and the study of the impact of audiovisual content in American and world culture in general,” Turner said.

“Her students were well-prepared, curious, open-minded and full of empathy and insight for the often misunderstood and maligned world of adult entertainment,” he added. “In a time of creeping censorship from both self-described conservatives and liberal/progressives, it was heartening to see that — as Pete Townshend sang in a different century — the kids are all right.” 

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, the latest edition of Europe’s biggest adult industry conference, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel in Amsterdam.

Show More