WESTWOOD—On March 7, the UCLA student government funded a Porn Panel event at the campus in a workshop that featured appearances from adult performers Tasha Reign and James Deen.

Reign, who earned a gender studies degree from UCLA in 2014, was paid $750 for her appearance. For his part, Deen, who co-sponsored the event, was paid $1,500 for his visit to Westwood.

The event was held to create an open forum on the adult film industry and sex work, offering an environment where students could come forward and candidly discuss topics that inherently own a stigma in our society.

Per the school’s Campus Event Commissioner and Student Wellness Commissioner, the Porn Panel also aimed to educate students on issues such as safe sex practices and issues of consent.

In an interview with TheCollegeFix, the student government asserted its right to spend student fees and taxpayer money on the Porn Panel, stating, “This event is not only appropriate, it is our right as students and responsibility as elected officials to put on educational and entertaining events that reach students from diverse backgrounds on topics that affect their health.”

The Porn Panel, held in Moore Hall 101, the school’s largest campus lecture hall, quickly sold out. UCLA administration had no role in the event’s organization or promotion.