Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

Suzie McConnnell-Serio to replace Rene Portland? And what does JoePa think?

Sue — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:31:35 -0400

The PG's Bob Smizik takes Penn State to task for allowing Portland to ride roughshod over university standards, policies and common decency.

It's not like the Harris incident was the first against Portland. She had a long and documented history on the subject. As far back as 1986, Portland was quoted making an anti-lesbian statement. In such a comparatively unenlightened era, such behavior might be understandable. But to maintain such an attitude over some 20 years speaks to the ignorance of a closed mind -- something that should not be tolerated among leaders at a major university.

And what does the big mac-Daddy of PSU sports himself have to say about the whole thing (he hired Portland back in the day when he was athletic director)?

"She is doing what she wants to do," said Paterno, who hired Portland in 1980 when he was athletic director. "I hired Rene and have always been fond of Rene. I think she has done a great job. If she wants to get out of it, then that is up to her."

Uh huh. Well, fortunately, he won't be hiring the next coach. Rumor has it that Pittsburgh's own Suzie McConnell-Serio is at the top of the consideration list. Now that would be very romantic, but I'd suggest PSU take a moment to ensure that McConnell-Serio "gets" it on LGBTQ issues. She's on the record as stating that sexual orientation is a "personal choice" and that she'll respect personal choices. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for affirming lesbian players, but a far cry from the Portland-menace approach. If McConnell-Serio can keep her attention on the game and the players' behavior related to the game, more power to her.

But wouldn't it be cool if Penn State hired an openly lesbian coach?

Penn State's Rene Portland Resigns

Sue — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 13:55:03 -0400

Here's a tidbit of good gay-tidings!

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland resigned today, ending a 27-year tenure in which she won 606 games but battled allegations that she discriminated against lesbian players.
Portland resigned last night, the university said in a statement this morning.

Hurrah! Hurrah! More later ....

dsf

PG Letter to the Editor on Rene Portland

Sue — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 07:44:11 -0500

From today's Sports Mailbag, Harriet L. Schwartz of Squirrel Hill:

Penn State coach Rene Portland is an adult working on a college campus who has created a hostile and intimidating environment for students. As a university educator, she has harassed students, and continues to get away with it. As a longtime educator, I cannot comprehend that a university administration would allow this to continue.

Well put, Harriet.

PG Sports Guy Jerry Micco Represents Well on Gay Issues

Sue — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 07:40:22 -0500

There is nothing earthshattering in the Valentine's Day PG chat transcript featuring Jerry Micco. He simply makes a few comments about Penn State retaining Rene Portland as their women's basketball coach and former NBA player John Amaechi's coming out. What's interesting is the opportunity for the rest of us to note that while there is a long way to go, the sports world is not entirely filled with homophobic bigots.

Sometimes we need to stop and pay attention to these moments, particularly when most of the attention is focused on the stupidity of bigots like former NBA star Tim Hardaway who has recently claimed that he hates gay people. Duly noted Tim. Thanks for laying your ignorance right out there on the line and getting yourself banished from the NBA All-Star Weekend. Now if the NBA were to put a little more attention on the bigots who aren't so brazen ...

Back to Micco. Here's his perspective on Amaechi:

dt: What are your thoughts on Jon Amechi coming out of the closet?
Jerry Micco: Combination of courage and the fact that he wants to sell some books. He wasn't a superstar by any stretch, so the book on its merits doesn't garner much interest until Amaechi says publicly he's gay. Then it's covered heavily by all media. That said, I hope the day comes soon when people don't have to hide this type of thing. I know it's probably not going to happen, but you'd like to think people are tolerant enough to accept folks as they are and judge them on how they treat others and how they do their job on the court, field, etc.

The snark about selling books is most likely not unwarranted. But consider the two standards he lays out ... how they treat others and how they do their job on the court. How they treat others comes first. Consider the implications for Pittsburgh's homegrown football thug Joey Porter who recently used gay slurs. How is that for treatin' people? In fact, here's an entire list of anti-gay slurs made by professional athletes. I'm sure quite a few have good Christian mamas who make them chunky soup every weekend, but they don't treat people so good do they?

Micco also express incredulity over Penn State's retention of Rene Portland:

Ralph: Why does Rene Portland still have a job at Penn State?
Jerry Micco: I'm not sure, Ralph. I really can't answer that question because it mystifies me, too. And it's not like there aren't likely candidates out there that would be great for that job (read: Suzie McConnell Serio), so PSU would not have a tough time filling the post. I'm stunned with all that's surrounded Portland that the University just doesn't cut its ties. Again, rather mystifying to me.

There may be great replacements, but Portland is still a winner. So why toss her out just for being a homophobe and violating University policy when you can't guarantee a winning replacement? Its not like Portland offended the base or anything.

FYI, Suzie McConnell Serio is not exactly rah-rah lesbian material herself. She's on the record as defining sexual orientation as a "choice" but acknowledging that her player's personal lives are personal.

I suppose that's progress. It will be nice when more heterosexuals can lay off the uneasy little jabs when discussing homosexuality -- we get that you aren't gay and we certainly get that you aren't comfortable discussing it. Let's play ball.

Gene Collier on gays in sports

Sue — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:57:34 -0500

In today's Post-Gazette, the inimitable Gene Collier takes a shot at figuring at the implication of Penn State's homoconnection to basketball. Actually, he contrasts the settlement of Jennifer Harris' lawsuit citing PSU coach Rene Portland's homobigotry with the coming out of former PSU bball player John Amaechi.

Let me summarize - the fact that Amaechi is a gay basketball player should not be a bigger story than the fact the Rene Portland won't let lesbian basketball players on her team.

"There's this huge assumption that all women athletes are lesbian, while the exact opposite is true of men -- that, if you're an athlete, you couldn't possibly be gay," Heather Barber was saying on the phone yesterday from the University of New Hampshire. "The assumptions are dramatically different, but the way they play out may not be."

Heather studies these things. That's good to know because I cannot begin to fathom the impact of homophobia in the athletic realm.

So Jennifer Harris settled and got her little lump settlement. Rene got a slap on the hand.

What have the rest of us gained from this sordid little situation?

Black AIDS Day, Rene Portland, Snickers and is Prince phallic?

Sue — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 07:57:12 -0500

Still not feeling up to par so very light blogging of late. Here's a few tidbits that I may explore later:

Today (Weds) is the seventh annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. See Tony Norman's excellent column on this very important topic.

Former Penn State basketball player Jennifer Harris reached a settlement in her discrimination case against Penn State Coach Rene Portland. Check out Pam's take on the whole thing. Do we expect things to be different at Penn State or more of the same brazen "I win games so I can do whatever the hell I want" attitude from Coach Portland? Hmmm ....

Mars company aired what some are calling homophobic commercials during the Superbowl featuring two men accidently kissing after sharing a Snickers bar. Homo-disgust ensues. Apparently, the Snickers website featured two other ads with rather violent self-loathing endings and some virulent "ick" factor responses from heterosexual men. Parody or homophobic? The Human Rights Campaign called foul. Mars defended their attempts to reach out to the 18 to 24 year old demographic.

Speaking of foul, others are criticizing Prince for his phallic imagery during the Superbowl halftime show. We saw the show and both sniggered at the imagery which appears to be unintentional or at least ironic. But, heck, I still think Justin Timberlake got off easy for ripping off Janet Jackson's clothing simply because he was the innocent white guy duped by the black vixen.

Anti-Rene Portland sentiment flares in Michigan

Sue — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:30:08 -0500

According to an online edition of Michigan's LGBTQ newsletter, a group of 300+ straight and gay women wore lavender shirts to the recent University of Michigan/Penn State women's basketball game.

Sunday's protest served as a triumphant moment for gay folks, especially considering the massive turnout. It showed that there are people in the state of Michigan (and nationwide) who will not stand for discrimination. The best part: Some of these people aren't even gay. They're just on our side. Now that, that's a victory.

Personally, I think the writer is hyperinflating the magnitude of the protest. Penn State won't step up to the plate to handle Portland until 1) Jennifer Harris' case settles very unfavorably, 2) Portland overtly discriminates again or 3) Portland begins to lose. Given that she just netted her 600th win, those prospects don't look too good.

Nonetheless, its good that the issue hasn't been lost amidst a million other concerns. Portland is an arrogant nasty bigot. But the greater shame rests on Penn State for allowing her to get away with it.

Rene Portland Lawsuit Expands After Coach Denigrates Player

Sue — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 21:35:00 -0400

From 365gay comes the tidbit that lawyers for Jennifer Harris, the former player suing Penn State coach Rene Portland for harassment and discrimination, have expanded the scope of the lawsuit. This move comes after Portland made public statements degrading Harris and dismissing her athletic accomplishments.

“We're not saying Rene does not have a right to defend herself. Of course she does,” said Harris' attorney, Karen Doering, of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “But the law does not permit her to make defamatory statements, which is what she has done by claiming that Jennifer was unable to make contributions to the team.”

The Tribune Review reports that the NCLR has also filed a formal complaint with Penn State's Affirmative Action Office.

"Graham Spanier is the one who said, if she is found to have violated the discrimination policy again, and this is defamation as opposed to harassment, she would be in violation of the school's policy," Doering said. "So, we will see if he does anything."

Of course he won't do anything. He didn't really mean he would fire the winningest women's coach ever at PSU. He meant that he would slap her on the other wrist after checking to make sure she didn't violate the real discrimination policy (aka other minority protected classes).

If Portland were to be fired, she could probably have a nice second career as a housemother for the Duke Lacrosse team.

Rene Portland - Future Pennsylvania Legislator?

Sue — Sat, 20 May 2006 08:50:19 -0400

She just can't keep her mouth shut. No matter that Penn State found her guilty of discimination on the basis of sexual orientation. No matter that she got off with a little slap on the wrist. No matter that she still faces a huge lawsuit.

Rene Portland continues to trumpet her innocence and has now officially attempted to retaliate against Jennifer Harris. On Thursday, she issued a written statement disparaging Harris' contribution to the Lady Lions team.

Harris lawyers point out that Portland had publicly lauded Harris' performance in 2004 and 2005. They also state that the team statistics attest to Harris' contributions.

Penn State has stated that if Portland violated the University's nondiscrimination policy again, she will be fired. Harris' lawyers have filed a formal complaint with the University over the retaliation attempt.

'Although coach Portland has a right to defend herself against Jennifer's allegations, the law and Penn State policy do not permit retaliation by making false and disparaging allegations,' Doering said.

Karen Doering is the senior counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Will PSU take action? Of course not. I'm sure they will split hairs over what constitutes retaliation, adding fuel to Portland's slow but inevitable self-immolation.

Don't worry Rene. This is Pennsylvania so when you finally get yourself fired, you can get into politics and bring your homo-bigotry home to roost in the state legislature.

Rene Portland Article in PG -- No Letters?

Sue — Sun, 07 May 2006 07:37:08 -0400

It has been one week since the Post-Gazette article on the Rene Portland debacle ran (Penn State's 'Mommy Coach' a bigot?)

Given that women's hoops are fairly popular around here, I expected ... well, something! Between the lesbians, the parents of high school players, the Pitt b-ball fans, and those who actively support the criminalization of homosexuality, surely someone mustered enough umbrage to pick up a pen.

Only one person has done so and his name is Bill Earley of Merion Station, PA. I have no idea where Merion Station is located, but it sounds like at least one resident has his head screwed on the right way.

Bill writes:

Her boorish behavior has grown bolder because university leadership offers no consequences for her actions. Nothing except another verbal warning and a note in her file.

Thanks for hitting the nail on the head, Bill. Portland gets away with discrimination because Penn State lets her.

I wonder if the local b-ball parents realize that remaining silent on this issue sends the right message to their daughters.

Who on earth would let their kid go play for this homo-bigot? Only another homo-bigot, I'd assume. And God knows we have plenty of those here in Pgh.

Rene Portland: Could PFLAG Help?

Sue — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:30:36 -0400

Rene Portland wins basketball games. She brings out the basketball best in her players. She knows her craft. But is Rene Portland is a good coach?

A front-page story in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes an in-depth look at Portland's background, including her professional successes. She uses a "Mommy" approach to her team -- monitoring their clothing, their social lives, their volunteer work and so forth. She's had players live with her family and drew in her own mother as the team granny.

She sounds like every overbearing mother I've ever met. She apparently obsesses more about her player's ladylike behavior than their grades (and their overall well-being). I suspect that like many control freaks, Rene believes that if they would just do it her way, happiness and success is bound to follow.

The story indicates that this is Portland's last warning; one more homophobic incident and she'll be terminated. Penn State is like the parent in the checkout line lecturing their child "I'm going to count to three ...one ...two ... I really mean it ... two and a half ...don't push me ... two and three quarters ..." while the child in question gleefully continues to misbehave.

This serves to illustrate that Portland is not about following the rules; she's about following her rules. In her mind, Penn State administation should get out of the way and let her do her job. Non-discrimination language is fine, as long as it doesn't conflict with her way of doing things.

Portland's idea of "mothering" is more akin to Mommy Dearest than Mother Knows Best.

Being a parent is not about exerting total control over your children and forcing them to become the person you want them to be. Even parents of lgbt kids. Portland's methods belong in the realm of the so-called gay conversion progams, not at the helm of a top-ranked university's athletic teams.

I'm not a coach, but I did run track in high-school for several years under a good coach who brought out the best I had to offer (Hello, Mr. Shar, wheverer you are). He set clear expectations, both for performance and behavior. But they were all related to the sport, not an attempt to regulate my entire existance. I was one of three women who lettered that year even though I had the lowest ranking on team. That letter means the world to me because it represents finding something important inside myself that I never knew was there. That came in handy when I had my big gay moment at age 29

Portland is an unabashed homophobe and all the sanctions in the world are not going to penetrate her nasty little mind. She doesn't belong at Penn State, period. Perhaps Liberty University is looking for a coach?

(cross-posted from Big Gay Picture)

Trib : Portland Proves Hate Okay

Sue — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:34:21 -0400

The Trib's Mike Seate steps up for his turn on the Rene Portland homobashing situation and considers Portland a viable candidate for Pennsylvania politics.

[I]nstead of offering any apologies or explanations for her bigotry and paranoia, Portland held a news conference last week where she refused to answer any questions. In fact, she pretty much denied the whole ugly affair. Fined $10,000 by the school, the foul-line homophobe will get to keep her job, which is the kind of hall pass previously reserved for crooked politicians.

Seate makes some nice comparisons to our illustrious hall of crminals, including Western PA's very own Jeff "Corruption" Habay.

Seate believes that Portland may in fact be on to this trend ...

If I were a betting man, I'd wager that Portland already knows this. She knows that a winning record makes beloved sports figures almost bullet-proof when it comes to criticism. It also means the rules, whatever they are, don't apply to the powerful and successful.
And by now, I'm sure Portland realizes that Penn State may never place the same importance on its students as it does its athletic programs.

What a great commonwealth is Pennsylvania!

Post Gazette Applauds Penn State Stance on Rene Portland

Sue — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:03:37 -0400

The Post-Gazette Editors have spoken -- (emphasis mine)

We applaud university President Graham Spanier for upping the penalty from the initially suggested and insultingly negligible one-game suspension to a $10,000 fine. Perhaps the punishment should have been more severe. Had she discriminated against a player on the basis of race or ethnicity, she'd likely be looking for a new job.

I never thought I'd see the day when ESPN was more in synch with my thoughts than the Post-Gazette. Welcome to that day!

What the hell are the PG editors implying ... that the punishment fits the crime because it was just a little dyke bashing instead of a real case of discrimination?

Penn State doesn't get a pass on this. The University is making it very clear that there is a hierarchy of protection in their anti-discrimination policy. Racial discimination is not tolerated. Homophobia is okay if you are willing to pay $10,000.

Portland violated the University's nondiscrimination policy. There is no hierarchy (or there should NOT be) of protected classes within that policy. Period. She forced Jennifer Harris to go to school and play basketball in a hostile environment, eventually driving her out.

Now the Post-Gazette has dropped the ball, too. They didn't question Penn State's motivation for this wrist slapping maneuver.

Pennsylvania's homosexuals are not second class citizens. Bad enough our relationships are under assault from the right wingers, but now our young people are being denied an opportunity to pursue a higher education in a safe environment at the state land grant university. That is unacceptable.

Shame on the Post-Gazette for bowing at the altar of anything goes athletics.

When the hell is Tony Norman coming back?

More sports folks weigh in on Rene Portland's gay bashing

Sue — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 09:38:49 -0400

From Sunday's Post-Gazette, sports colunist Ron Cook calls for Rene Portland to be fired.

What in the world is the Penn State administration thinking by allowing Portland to stay on as coach after its half-year internal investigation determined she created a "hostile, intimidating and offensive environment" for at least one of her players whom she believed to be a lesbian?

Ron -- Penn State is thinking they can get away with it. They are thinking that the end justifies the means. Portland wins games so who cares how she gets there? Penn State is reinforcing the stereotype that athletics ALWAYS trumps well ... anything.

You mean to tell me Ron, that not all sports fans are homophobic? That not all sports fans think winning at any cost is acceptable? That some sports folks actually respect diversity and believe that a healthy environment is important to the growth and development of college players?

That Penn State is pandering to the worst stereotypes about athletes and sports fans?

Wait ... there's more .....ESPN's Graham Hayes is disgusted with Penn State.

Portland is a homophobe.

And in this country, she has every right to be.

But that doesn't mean the citizens of Pennsylvania should be obligated to pay her to spread those views among current students or discriminate against prospective students at the state's land-grant university.

It's sad that Portland views the world through such myopic lenses; it's reprehensible that, knowing that, the school still wants her as its coach.

The folks over at Women's Hoops Blog have been doing an outstanding job covering the whole story. Penn State students are planning to protest next week.

On a disappointing note, Pittsburgh native Suzie McConnell-Serio can only muster up relief that Portland is remaining at Penn State ...

"When it was all said and done, I was relieved she was going back to Penn State to be with those players," said Suzie McConnell-Serio, a four-year starter for Portland in the late 1980s who coaches professionally. "I was relieved she could continue what she has started to keep the tradition going."

McConnell-Serio is on the record of stating that homosexuality is a personal choice, but acknowledging that she'll support her player's personal choices. (Minnesota Lynx player Michele Van Gorp was living an openly gay lifestyle).

Well, Suzie, I guess you don't want to be TOO supportive. After all, a 20 year tradition of lesbian baiting is an important value for young basketball players.

Penn State "reprimands" lesbian baiter coach

Sue — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 22:13:04 -0400

Proving once again that athletics trumps anything else in higher education, Penn State has issued a "letter of reprimand" to Rene Portland for her lesbian baiting ways. AND it will go in her permanent file ... ooohhhhh.

This is so utterly pathetic ... they acknowledge that Rene Portland harassed Jennifer Harris, but don't deem it serious enough to warrant any real action. Because Rene Portland is paid to win basketball games. Not to coach these young women. To win.

Any woman, particularly any gay woman, who gives one iota of support to Penn State should really take a step back and think about this past year. Beyond this whole lesbian bashing situation, Joe Paterno made frivolous demeaning comments about cute young girls seducing football players in reference to allegations of rape.

I would no sooner send my female child into that lion's den than I would enroll them at Liberty University. Women are not valued at Penn State. More precisely, the value of women is significantly less than the value of winning ball games.

I know it ain't gonna change. But do you want to financially support a university that has such little regard for women?

Let's hope the lawsuit generates more suitable consequences for this hate-mongering b*tch.

Rene Portland - Gay Protest ... AGAIN

Sue — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 11:31:06 -0500

Big Gay Picture has a little update on anti-Rene Portland protests at Penn State women's basketball games ...

Here's a quote from Rene Portland that sums up the entire situation (and she is oblivious to the irony)

"Can we just talk about basketball? You guys have tried for six goddamn months, excuse my language," Portland said.

Does anyone remember who brough up the whole "no lesbians" policy? Hmmm ....

Here'a a great photo from the protest ...