Porn star Ron Jeremy argued in favor of pornography, while self-described sex addict Michael Leahy argued against it at a debate at the Siegel Center.
Jeremy, the spokesman for the adult film industry, and Michael Leahy have debated each other four times prior to Tuesday night’s meeting.
Ron Jeremy, who holds bachelor degrees in theater and in elementary education, worked as a special education teacher before becoming an international porn star. A native New Yorker, he fell into the porn industry after his then-girlfriend submitted his picture to Playgirl magazine. His sense of humor and everyman looks catapulted him into iconic status in the industry.
Jeremy now works primarily as a spokesman for the adult film industry as well has consulting and making cameos in mainstream motion pictures. He has also acted in or consulted for films including, “Ghostbusters,” “Boondocks Saints,” “Boogie Nights” and “Studio 64.”
Michael Leahy founded Bravehearts, an organization dedicated to studying and treating what it believes to be a sex-addiction epidemic in the US today. Sex addiction, he said, is still a controversial topic in the mental health community and is not officially recognized as a disorder.
Leahy’s beliefs stem from his personal experience. He told the crowd that after being exposed to pornography at age 11 he became more and more interested and eventually obsessed with viewing it. His views toward women, shaped by pornography, caused him difficulty in his relationships, he said.
After Leahy married, he said his pornography obsession grew due to the instant access the Internet provided. Finally, he said he began to cheat on his wife, which lead to his divorce. Leahy said he saw his failed marriage as a wake-up call to get help.
Leahy blamed his divorce from his wife of 15 years on his pornography addiction. He described the porn industry as unethical, causing sex addiction to spread across America. Pornography, he added, partly fuels taped pedophilia (“kiddy porn), snuff films and human trafficking.
Jeremy, on the other hand, explained that the production of adult films is a legitimate business with a legitimate market and should keep the legal protection of the first amendment.
Jeremy told the audience that human trafficking, snuff, and “kiddy porn” films are not part of the porn industry and he is just as interested as Mr. Leahy in stopping those crimes. Comparing sex addiction to alcoholism, Jeremy told the audience alcohol is legal for legitimate use, despite some people becoming addicted.
Jeremy also said he sees no harm in young kids viewing porn.
“I don’t think it is that bad if a kid sneaks in to see his dad’s porn collection,” he said.
Though Jeremy argued for porn to remain legal, he emphasized the industry’s legitimacy more than its ethics. On the other hand, Leahy encouraged the crowd not to watch porn, but wasn’t advocating the illegalization of porn. He said he was against censorship.
The Q&A section of the debate gave students a chance to ask the two men questions ranging from trivial to political.
One audience member inquired about the number of women Jeremy had sex with, to which the porn star replied, 4000-5000.
When asked if he had any criticisms for the porn industry, Jeremy answered: “It’s become a three ring circus – no storyline.”
Did Jeremy ever felt guilty after working in porn?
“Us Jews are famous for (guilt). It felt funny my first time,” Jeremy said, jokingly.
Students also took the chance to criticize Michael Leahy for his critical position of the porn industry and homosexuality. During his debate, he told the audience that only normal sexuality is healthy and he believed normal sexuality to be heterosexuality.
The debate between two people whose views did not actually conflict didn’t deter VCU students from lining up. Following the debate Ron Jeremy signed autographs and took pictures with audience members. About half the spectators stayed to meet Mr. Jeremy.
Alicia Garrison, international studies major, came to the debate because she “thought it would be an interesting debate, I’ve heard of (Jeremy’s) reputation.”
Other students attended to talk to a porn star.
Tyler Bass, an aspiring writer, wore on his head a leopard thong, which Jeremy later autographed. Jennifer Roca, a VCU student, said she plans to start a pornography club at VCU. Currently, the club doesn’t make pornography, only watches it, she said.
Ashley Cervantes, sophomore pre-law major, sided with Jeremy’s argument.
“I’m all for porn,” she said. “It’s watched all over the place and it’s interesting.”
While the Jeremy and Leahy disagreed on many things, they consider each other friends. As the saying goes, honorable men can defer.
Peter Moody contributed to this story.