Owner of the sexually explicit Hustler magazine and First Amendment advocate Larry Flynt will speak at 8 p.m. today in Heritage Hall of the HUB-Robeson Center.

Flynt has been involved in many cases challenging the freedom of speech, the most notable being the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the 1988 case Hustler Magazine v. Falwell that inspired the 1996 movie The People v. Larry Flynt. The court ruled that Flynt was within his constitutional rights to publish material mocking the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Although the graphic sexual content of Hustler magazine may trouble some, others support Flynt's actions to protect free speech. Clay Calvert, associate communications professor and co-director for the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment, the organization sponsoring his speech, defends Flynt's efforts.

"The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of Larry Flynt makes possible today the type of 'biting' political satire that we see on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show and Late Night with David Letterman," Calvert said.

Undergraduate Adviser of Women's Studies Brian R. Jara questions Flynt's motivations behind speaking about free speech, citing business interests as a possible reason for his visit.

Rolling his eyes, Jara said, "He probably can't not talk about business because that's why he's invited." Jara believes Flynt's primary motivation is the possibility of promoting Hustler by drawing attention to himself.

Referring to a cover of Hustler that depicted a woman being shredded through a meat grinder, Jara said he was "a little troubled by (Flynt's) success by putting out harmful images of women. Why are they making so much money?"

While some may think Flynt is speaking at Penn State to endorse his magazine, they also should note that he has spent more than $50 million to litigate issues about freedom of expression, Calvert said. Flynt also is paying for his own transportation and has declined an honorarium, the money given to a guest speaker, he added.

Assessing Flynt's sincerity on the issue of free speech, Robert D. Richards, professor of journalism and law, said, "When he first began, he was doing so to protect his business, but once he became deeply involved in the issues, he did so on principle." Richards also is co-director for the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment.

Both the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment and Jara agree that Flynt's speech will be beneficial to Penn State, since it will inspire students to speak and debate their opinions about free speech.

Student opinions about Hustler's content differ, but many, such Zachary Ludescher (freshman-communications), look forward to the speech and said they support efforts to protect the First Amendment.

Crystal Strickhouser (sophomore-information science and technology) said, "I think it's a great idea. I don't look at his magazine, but free speech needs to be protected."

In defense of Flynt's pornography, Jarret Cohen (freshman-Jewish studies) said, "Porn isn't something that goes into people's lives; it's something that people look for. Most people won't admit it, but it's there for a reason — because people buy it."