Nina Hartley Profiled in Capitol Weekly

SACRAMENTO — Monday, during a hectic day of lobbying state legislators and their staffs as part of the Free Speech Coalition's annual Celebrate Free Speech Lobbying Days event, the legendary performer and social activist Nina Hartley made time to sit down with Malcolm Maclachlan of the Capitol Weekly for a personal profile of the star.

The interview, which was posted to the newspaper's website yesterday, covers Hartley's interest in social activism, including some rare insights into her father, who, before being blacklisted in the 1950's, ran a popular radio show called 'This is San Francisco,' and also addresses the current role of women in the industry as well as the mainstreaming of adult content.

Hartley's father's stage name was Jim Grady, and according to the performer, at one point "he went to a [communist] meeting, not undercover but quietly, and it turned out it had been infiltrated. Someone called him out by name, and that’s all they needed."

Shortly thereafter, he was served at the radio station during work, and as a result lost his job.

"In the end," she said, "he was vindicated, but... he was never fully employed after that. He’d get a job, and then in a couple of weeks a couple guys with suits would come by and tell him to come see the boss and my father would be unemployed again. That obviously did have an effect on the family."

It also had an effect on Hartley herself, who went on to become far more than just one of the most popular adult entertainers of all time. She has, in fact, established herself as an effective and singular spokesperson for an empowering feminist ideology that fully embraces a woman's right to choose her own path in life, even if it leads to adult entertainment.

"If a woman at 18 is able to vote, become married, become a mother, to have an abortion," she told Maclachlan, "then she is legally able to consent to make adult entertainment. Some people argue that women don’t have true consent because our system is so oppressive, etc. I don’t care to be infantilized in that way."

Regarding her own political aspirations, Hartley was less than enthusiastic. "People have often said, 'Nina, you should run for office.' I don’t have that level of pluck in me. But it’s very important to be involved in this civic lobbying."

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

Show More