U.S. News
More U.S. NewsA psychology professor did what?! The story behind the Illinois university’s strange sex demonstration.
Update: Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro said Thursday that he was "troubled and disappointed" after hearing about the sex toy incident—and that Northwestern would be launching an investigation into it. “I feel it represented extremely poor judgment on the part of our faculty member,” he said in a statement. On Saturday morning, the professor behind the controversial class issued his own apology stating that he regrets allowing the controversial demonstration, and that "In the 18 years I have taught this course, nothing like the demonstration at issue has occurred, and I will allow nothing like it to happen again."
It was bizarre, say students—even for a professor who gets off (excuse the pun) on controversy. On Feb. 21, after a lecture on sexual arousal, students in Northwestern University psychology Professor J. Michael Bailey’s human-sexuality course were given the option to stay for a guest presentation. Most were used to these sessions: With topics like “The Gay Guys Panel” (gay men talking about their sex lives) and Q&A sessions with transgender performers, the optional add-ons were part of what made Bailey’s class one of the most popular on campus.
An unconventional sex ed class is making news.
But this particular lecture was, shall we say, different. Led by a man whose website describes him as a “psychic detective and ghost hunter,” it was called “Networking for Kinky People,” and began with a towel placed neatly on the auditorium stage. Next, a woman took her clothes off, and—with an audience of around 100—lay down on her back, legs spread. As students moved forward from the theater’s back seats, for a closer view, “The girl grabbed the mic,” says Sean Lavery, a Northwestern freshman. “She explained that she had a fetish for being watched by large crowds while having an orgasm.”
No, the girl involved was not a student. Yes, she was over 21, we’re told—and the guy stimulating her was introduced as her boyfriend. “It was a committed couple who did the demonstration, and it happened at the end of the class,” says Ken Melvoin-Berg, the guest speaker, who helps operate a tour company called Weird Chicago that offers sex tours.
We'll spare you the gory details—but let's just say they involved the woman's boyfriend bringing her to climax on stage, using a contraption called a "fucksaw," and plenty of gasps, not just from flabbergasted students. “I was gauging everyone’s reaction,” says Lavery, who’s been in Bailey’s class since January. “I think everyone was just like, ‘Is she really doing this right now?’”
The demonstration will become a rallying cry for sex-education critics, and parents of fresh-faced 18 year olds for whom Northwestern is suddenly at the top of their college wish lists.
The demonstration, as you can imagine, has become the talk of campus—a story that will undoubtedly become fable for subsequent classes of incoming freshmen. It will also certainly become a rallying cry for sex-education critics, and parents of fresh-faced 18 year olds for whom Northwestern is suddenly at the top of their college wish lists. With the story first reported in Northwestern’s campus paper, The Daily, on Tuesday, it’s safe to say that the influx of criticism has only just begun.
But Bailey, for his part, has never shied away from controversy. His 2003 book, The Man Who Would Be Queen, ruffled feathers with its argument that some transgender men who wish to become women are driven by erotic fascination rather than biological desire; Bailey has said himself that he enjoys turning intellectual taboo on its head. But he resigned from his post as the chairman of Northwestern’s psychology department in 2004, shortly after allegations that he had unethically published confidential information about many of his subjects. (The claims were never substantiated, and Bailey has vehemently denied them.) Now a professor of clinical and personality psychology, Bailey is not licensed as a clinical psychologist in Illinois, nor has he been, according to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.
Back on campus, Northwestern is still defending its longtime prof, despite Bailey's comments in another class, quoted in the student newspaper this week, that "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but watching naked people on stage doing pleasurable things will never hurt you." "Northwestern University faculty members engage in teaching and research on a wide variety of topics, some of them controversial and at the leading edge of their respective disciplines," the university's vice president for university relations, Alan Cubbage, told The Daily Beast in a statement. "The university supports the efforts of its faculty to further the advancement of knowledge."
Bailey declined to be interviewed for this article, but seems to have gained at least a bit of perspective since his earlier remarks. Late Wednesday, he posted a lengthy explanation of his behavior to the Northwestern faculty site, in which he acknowledges he had "some apprehension" about the display—though more for the personal repercussions than any lack of educational value. "Do I have any regrets? It's mostly too early to say," he writes. "I certainly have no regrets concerning Northwestern students, who have demonstrated that they are open-minded grownups rather than fragile children." Grownups, yes; but also open-minded enough to assess the display for themselves. "I was like, 'OK, she orgasmed on stage,'" says Lavery, the freshman, who is 18. "What're we supposed to take away from that?"
Jessica Bennett is a Newsweek senior writer covering society, youth culture and gender. Her special reports, multimedia packages and original Web video have been honored by the New York Press Club, the Newswomen's Club of New York and GLAAD, among other organizations. Follow her on Twitter.
Like The Daily Beast on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates all day long.
For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at editorial@thedailybeast.com.
Grammers
Now this is a story that I wish was longer.
adlerman
that's what she said.
Mrmojo723
The only part of this story I DON'T LIKE, is the part where the author skips over the details! I'm sure it would be very helpful to a lot of Conservative men out there, you know, to actually learn how to satisfy a woman.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
Oh, so a giant dildo on the end of a pole attached to a rotating saw blade is all it takes to satisfy a woman?
If that were the case, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor would be a helluvalot more popular with the ladies.
steveknows
@Scrotum
Oh, I see that you're familiar with this process.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
No... I read the article... something that you apparently failed to do because you're here commenting on it even though there wasn't any mention of Palin.
steveknows
Scumbagg
Touche! NOT
henryragnar
I don't know MrMumbojumbo, if it wasn't for Conservative men, who would women have to satisfy them? Liberals? Don't make me laugh. Have you seen some of them? Aren't they all gay? Maybe they can help the ladies with the interior decorations, but sex? I don't think so.
lillymckim
So THIS is where parents hard earned tuition $$$ is going at Northwestern?
So this is what we send our 18 year old kids to college for..
So a 24 year old exhibitionist with the aid of a "44" year old man can bring their sex acts into a classroom?
Higher education? Who is teaching our children?
This what parents are paying for at Northwestern ?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I hope heads will roll and let it start with Professor J. Michael Bailey's and then Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro!
Sotogrande Villa
I think the professor is a genius. The more people can confront taboos that are only taboos because of tradition and religion, the more we can advance as a society.
Since the spread of monotheistic religions, sex (and particularly female sexual pleasure) has been relegated to the darkness, as if it were something evil-although everyone does it-whether they talk about it openly or not.
What we should all have learnt by now is that when anything is hidden, ignored, not talked about- it has great potential to become a problem. In 2011, women shouldn´t have to "Lay back and think of England".
hockeydog
Interesting perspective, Sotogrande.
This story reminded me of the one several years ago where an art student in Oakland, California presented his conceptual art piece.
In that instance, and I might have missed a couple of details like whether he used handcuffs, or a cage; but he "enslaved" a fellow student and urinated and defecated on him.
Was it art? Was it in good taste" Was it necessary?
Do we as a society need to draw the line on human behavior? If not, what are we?
sandwiches
In a free society we can do whatever we want as long as it does not harm or infringe upon the freedoms of others.
that's the line, and if you believe in a free society you have to learn to accept behavior you find barbaric and ridiculous, otherwise the whole thing's at risk.
dmgoss
Uh, except in that case (in San Francisco, btw) the person being restrained hadn't been told that was going to happen, and the student who performed the forcible act as performance art was arrested and expelled.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
^^^ Oh, that took place in San Francisco... that city is used to getting pissed and shit on, especially by all the pan handlers, drug addicts and homeless people that populate the streets.
steveknows
@Scroto
San Francisco has to be better than wherever you live, if only because you live there, you self-righteous joke.
And most likely, just because it is better.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
Hey look, Steve the troll came out from under his bridge!
But what are you doing in this thread, Steve? There's no mention of Palin in the article... did you get lost or something?
steveknows
@scumbag
You already said that.
And it wasn't funny the first time.
You have delusions of wit.
mothnflame
agreed, especially when the author of the piece refers to what the couple did as 'the gory details'.
I wonder how I would have felt about this though. And I wonder how I would have felt if it was my kid in the class. My biggest gripe is that it was technically 'nonconsensual' for him to spring something this graphic on the class without disclosing it first. The prof fails for not knowing the first tenet of kink... negotiate your scene before you do it.
I think there is a lot that can be demonstrated about the human body (get a couple in there where the gal has multiple or continual orgasms and teach the kids something about female arousal... probably more useful in the long run) that would have been more useful in teaching than 'hey, kinky lady wants to get done by a piece of equipment in a room full of people'.
spinthedisc
It was not nonconsensual. This was an optional demonstration held OUTSIDE of class and they were given multiple warnings about what was to happen. Several students did decide to leave when they were told.
The article does not do a good job of explaining this, instead hoping to sensationalize the issue, as many other outlets are doing. As an NU alum myself, who took this same class, I find it disheartening.
nshore
A few notes:
1. These are adults and not "my kid in the class." All the students in the class are 18 and older. If a parent is paying tuition and has issues with what their child is taking maybe they should take a look at it.
2. In an interview with the "psychic detective and ghost hunter" that lead the AFTER CLASS session on Chicago television he said that students were told - at least 12 times - that what was to follow would be graphic and contain nudity. This was no way 'nonconsensual' for members of the class unless they had their Ipods turned up to full volume until the naked woman suddenly appeared.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
They shouldn't have to "lay back" to get their way through college either...
greenback
Like pedophilia? Or bestiality? By all means let's bring it out into the open! PBS should have adult programming, then.
gatorbass
Nobody has difficulty obtaining pornagraphy.If I was a parent and had paid tuition ect to send my 18 year old kid to this school. I'd be gettin my money back.
DoctorPV
They could just order pornography online or on DVD saying, "Mom, Dad, I need more money for books, there's this last one I have to get for [-insert course name here-]."
Getting porn whether in a sex-ed class or not is no different. I'd be glad to let my children see the experience. Many women can't reach orgasm easily, so for the women there it may have been seen as a glimmer of hope that one day they'll be able to feel those very same sensations with a significant other.
Don't be closed-minded, think of the good things as well, not just the bad. Weigh them out and find balance in your thinking. Unbiased is best!
Pupster
Your 18 year old is a consenting adult and can make their own decisions.
As long as everyone in the room was over age and could leave at any time, and that the demonstration was extra-curricular and not required, there's nothing wrong going on here. Nothing illegal or unethical. Hopefully, educational and illuminating.
Most 18 year olds have already seen naked bodies and have had sex. People need to stop clutching their pearls and pretending they are all innocent babies.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
Nice to know that you have no problems with a woman being nothing more than a sex object in front of dozens of horny guys in their late teens and early 20s.
tomcat2010
@Pupster: "Your 18 year old is a consenting adult and can make their own decisions."
Not if I'm paying the tuition, douchebag.
Pupster
@tomcat: If you're paying the tuition, why are you letting your kid take a sex ed class anyway? You should be picking ALL of the classes, and this little demo wouldn't be a problem.
Dontmakemelaugh
I'd say most of these kids have had a generous introduction to the subject by their own independent study.
The more important topics concern relationships and a broad look at the amount of misery caused in our society by individuals in pursuit of a few more orgasms.
lastmanup
I'm sure the religious conservatives will have a field day with this... Let them, that's their hang up.
Dontmakemelaugh
Compensating much? How is your sex life?
jungefrau
I'm as godless as they come and I still think this stuff is bullish**. College is not free. It is not meant to make you a better lover or help you understand how to bring a woman to orgasm. Psychology is and always will be the easy A crap class that kids take because they don't want to learn a real science.
tomcat2010
Hear, hear.
greenback
Hell, most people will have a "field day" with this. I can only assume that most of the supporters of this class do not have children either. Loveta hear from supporters WITH kids.
Ozone69
Is it any wonder we are lagging behind other countries in education? This garbage is what parents and taxpayers are paying for to educate our young adults?
Grammers
This is not a mandatory junior-high course.To begin with,it's college.If you read the article it states they were "given the option to stay for a presentation."
If parents are too hung up to talk about this where are young people supposed to learn? Planned Parrenthood is the new witchhunt for the Teaparty which ,of course,will make it even more difficult for youths to be sexually responsible.
Grow up America !!
IowaKC
They're receiving credit for classes like this--at an "elite" university--so they can work through their sexual hangups? My condolence to their future employers, since the education they got in mandatory junior high courses might be all they're taking to the job.
tomcat2010
@IowaKC
Oh, I dunno. I think it prepares them quite nicely for the porn industry.
Blackalex13
Ahhhhh. It's college. So, it's like sophisticated and stuff. Here I thought the old sayin' let's get out the "fucksaw" was soooooo junior-high. College sure is grown up these days huh?
But seriously, I do agree with you, where indeed will the young people learn about the "fucksaw"? Damn those parents for not doing their jobs.
sandwiches
1. private school
2. elective course
not chem 101 at a public university
baxter99
Shades of Monty Python's; 'The Meaning Of Life' and John Cleese teaching sex ed.
IowaKC
Indeed. "Do stand up when my wife enters the room!" Ha! I have to see if I can pull that up on Youtube.
jdr9599
Props to the Prof. Call it free speech, call it education, whatever you want to call it. It will open some not all minds, and will encourage debate. That is what college is for.
gatorbass
This is why the Chinese are gonna crush us.
kevinwendy
Or maybe its because they don't cut funding for elementary and high school age education. Or maybe its because they actually invest in maintaining and renewing their infrastructure. Or maybe its because they own practically all of our debt.
Its not because they have better higher education. We still have the best higher education institutions in the world. Universities in this country have always been experimental by nature - learn by doing, right?
Scroto_T_Bagginz
For anyone who has spent time browsing the depths of the internet for the past decade or so, there was nothing mind-opening about it.
Leg-opening, yes.
steveknows
If you're here, it is the depths of the internet
Amy Lee
Really huh? What's a course on crime and murder going to demonstrate live? http://bit.ly/hqZ5wv
adlerman
Show me a guy who uses an initial and his middle name and I'll show you a phuckup. G. Gordon Liddy, E. Howard Hunt,
J. Edgar Hoover, J. Dan Quayle- there are plenty more - strangely enough they all seem to be republicans.
Mortal_Man
F. Scott Fitzgerald. I know, HUGE phuckup, right?
beastyjay
I'd hazard a guess that Professor J. Michael Bailey is not a Republican...
GinaRN
It's obvious that the professor's sexual titillation is the real reason behind this "class" he taught.
Right when public education is under attack from the right wing, this moron serves it up for them on a platter.
What a selfish, stupid Jerk!
MikePost
GinaRN: you do understand that Northwestern is a private institution?
MikePost
Jessica Bennett didn't exactly "spare" us "the gory details" as the boy "fucksawed" the girl with a "contraption" "bringing her to climax on stage" with "plenty of gasps."
Why no video? Aren't we Beasties also entitled to "the advancement of Knowledge?"
Grammers
It does read like a dirty book....
Scroto_T_Bagginz
There's definitely video of this out there... as per Rule 34.
AnyoneforTea
You mean you can hold the attention of college students with sex acts? Why that is pure genius... preparing them for the "Jobs of the Future" no doubt.
tomcat2010
Porn jobs
PrinceMyshkin
So this is American education and this is where our tax dollars are going. The liberals here are defending this as a lovely idea and something that our children can learn much from. I've already learned something. Liberalism is a mental disease.
mcasio
So why do you object to it in the context given?
Pupster
@Prince: You sound like you'd be more comfortable in Saudi Arabia with all the women wearing burkas and people being stoned to death for talking about sex. By all means, move your children and tax dollars over there.
Blackalex13
Ok. Let me get this straight Pupster. We have only two choices? Live in Saudi Arabia with all the women wearing burkas and people being stoned to death for talking about sex, or we have our kids learn about the gentle art of making love to your girl with a "fucksaw" at Northwestern. Really? Are these really our only two choices? lol
Pupster
Not at all, Blackalex. I was just making an observation about Prince Myshkin.
As I said earlier, this little demo was optional with students being able to decline to attend or walk out if they weren't interested. So there really is no reason to get up in arms. No one was forced to go and everyone had a choice to not attend. That's America.
juanmon
All your tax dollars are not going to Northwestern.
tomcat2010
Some of them certainly did.
FranksayZ
Couldn't say where she's comin' from,
But I just met a lady named Dinah-Moe Humm...
... Whipped off her bloomers and stiffened my thumb
And applied rotation on her sugar plum
I poked & stroked till my wrist got numb
And you know I heard some Dinah-Moe Humm
Dinah-Moe Humm
Grammers
Some of you are acting as if this were some sort of strip club off Bourbon Street with a donkey.The course is human sexuality and the instructor has done something like this at least twice obviously.
It's Northwestern University, not Sunday school.
IowaKC
Talk about missing the obvious. To use your phrasing: It's Northwestern University, not a strip club off Bourbon Street. It's the flipside of Bourbon Street strip clubs not teaching law, calculus, literature, or computer science. And how do we know that the professor doesn't have something planned with a donkey for a future class?
Grammers
Ahhhh ...the world upside down!!!
kevinwendy
Haha you're ridiculous. And once the federal government recognizes same-sex marriage I am sure you will also be fretting about people marrying horses.
Pupster
Even if he does have some donkey show planned, everyone in that room is a consenting adult and doesn't need your permission.
Scroto_T_Bagginz
The only difference between this and a strip club is there was no 2-drink minimum!
lillymckim
exactly it's not a strip club ...we expect more for the students...so should you
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.