Teachers have been outed for moonlighting in adult content. Do they have legal recourse?

In recent times, there has been a growing trend of teachers and individuals in various prominent fields engaging in adult content creation on platforms like OnlyFans. This phenomenon has raised legal and ethical questions surrounding personal freedoms and the boundaries employers can set regarding their employees’ after-hours activities.

At a rural Missouri high school, two English teachers, Brianna Coppage and Megan Gaither, found themselves at the center of such a controversy when their involvement in adult content creation on OnlyFans was revealed. While some individuals turn to platforms like OnlyFans to supplement their income, especially in professions with relatively low pay, the consequences of being exposed in this dual life can be severe. Both Coppage and Gaither faced repercussions, with Gaither expressing her disappointment on social media and Coppage ultimately resigning.

The surge in the adult content industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen millions of individuals worldwide join platforms like OnlyFans, Just for Fans, and Clips4Sale. Mike Stabile, a spokesperson for the Free Speech Coalition, noted that the pandemic revealed a significant shift in societal attitudes toward adult content creation. However, this choice is not without risks, as a report from the same trade association found that 3 in 5 adult entertainment performers have faced employment discrimination.

In Coppage’s case, her outing occurred when someone posted a link to her OnlyFans account on a community Facebook group. While the school district stated that she was not asked to resign, she chose to do so herself. Coppage defended her choice, asserting that sex work shouldn’t be considered shameful.

Similarly, Gaither used her OnlyFans earnings to pay off student loans but was also exposed for her activities. Both teachers remained silent in response to inquiries from news outlets but saw their OnlyFans earnings rise due to the increased attention.

Parents and some students in the St. Clair school district voiced concerns over the potential impact on students of having teachers involved in adult content creation. The controversy escalated when Coppage suggested she would be willing to film with former students during a YouTube interview with an adult content creator, a statement that was met with strong disapproval.

The legal recourse available to adult content creators who are fired due to their online activities remains uncertain. While employers have considerable latitude to terminate employees, questions arise when such firings disproportionately affect women and LGBTQ+ individuals, who are the primary contributors to the adult content industry. Attorney Derek Demeri, an employment law expert, points out that if a policy has a disparate impact on a protected community, it may potentially be unlawful, even in cases where the employees work with children.

Attorney Gregory Locke, who was dismissed from his job as a New York City administrative law judge due to his OnlyFans account, agrees with Demeri’s legal reasoning. He emphasizes that the gig economy and the financial challenges faced by many, including millennials with significant student debt, have led people to seek alternative sources of income like sex work on platforms like OnlyFans.

A lawsuit, similar to this situation, was filed by Victoria Triece against Orange County Public Schools, alleging that she was banned from volunteering at her son’s school because of her OnlyFans activities. Legal experts question the extent to which schools can intervene in an individual’s private life.

In another instance, Sarah Seales, a science teacher in South Bend, Indiana, resorted to OnlyFans to support her twins. She was subsequently fired from her job, but the Department of Defense, which operated the youth program she worked for, declined to comment on the matter.

Mark Nicholson, an attorney specializing in revenge porn cases, believes that improving teachers’ pay could reduce the need for them to turn to alternative income sources like OnlyFans.

In conclusion, the rise of teachers and professionals engaging in adult content creation has raised complex legal and ethical questions. While employers have the right to set certain boundaries, especially when it involves their employees working with children, potential discrimination and privacy concerns make this a multifaceted issue that continues to be debated.

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More about Teachers in Adult Content

• OnlyFans
• Free Speech Coalition
• Employment Discrimination
• Revenge Porn Cases
• Gig Economy
• Millennial Student Debt