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

The Trib - Joey Porter's slurs offensive to some

Sue — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:56:29 -0500

Imagine if Joey Porter mated with Ann Coulter ... they could spit out homobigot puppies left and right, well mostly just right.

I just had to chime in on this. The Tribune Review printed a list of Joey's highs and lows during his Steeler tenure. I won't recant all the amazing athletic feats he accomplished -- bully for him for doing the job he was amply compensated to do. But here's how Scott Brown sums up Porter's homophobia:

The outspoken Porter made comments that some said were offensive last December, when he called Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. a derogatory name for a homosexual man during a post-game interview. Porter apologized for the word he used, though not to Winslow, and was fined $10,000 by the NFL.

WTF? Outspoken? Some said were offensive? In what reality is calling Kellen Winslow Jr. a fag not offensive? He was trash talking so everything he said was intended to be offensive.

Brown was more outraged by Porter's horse-murdering dogs than his blatant bigotry. Nice, huh?

Now if I could just connect this to police secondary employment, the mayoral endorsement or Dennis Regan ...

Buh Buh Joey Porter: Gay Bashing Steeler Cut Loose to Free Agency

Sue — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 21:42:41 -0500

Sometimes greed can be a dyke's best friend. In this case, it means Joey Porter will take his trash-talking bigotry and hit the road for greener pastures. I don't care if he made 879 tackles last year and was Most Valuable Stud three years running or even if he did single-handedly hold back the entire Steeler team so Jerome Bettis could have his moment in the sun ... I don't even care that his team mug shot is plastered all over the city on the anti-homicide billboards urging people to report murders.

I think we're better off without him and his arrogant disrespect for any creature other than himself. We are not fans of Joey Porter.

This lesbian couldn't be happier.

h/t Pitt Girl

The Trib Weighs in on Gay Sheep and Tim Hardaway

Sue — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:30:43 -0500

Local opinion seems to be that our own con-alternative paper, the Tribune Review, is pretty anti-gay. The fact, however, is that most of their gay coverage has been consistent with mainstream thought on gays -- we aren't so bad after all, its not such a big deal, don't we have better things to worry about (usually the libertarian columnists), and an abhorence of violence against gays. Its a benign quasi-tolerance that keeps us fimly in our second-class seats, but protects us (mostly) from being bashed by pipe wielding maniacs. They may not want their sons to be gay, but it would be okay if their daughters have a quirky gay confidante. Who could ask for anything more than that? (I'm being ironic here b/c a 72 year old harmless man was killed by a pipe wielding maniac in spite of the fuzzy Will and Gracism pervading pop culture).

Two Trib columnists have tackled gay stories of late. In an interesting display of better late than never, Matt Sober weighs in on the Tim Hardaway furor. Sober went to Penn State with John Amaechi, the former NBA player who recently came out. Sober recalls Amaechi as a very bright guy who probably appreciates the tough conversations his coming out have inspired throughout the sports world. Then Sober takes an interesting twist:

And the lesson here is that declaring you hate gay people is just as silly as, well, declaring you love gay people.
Either way, the implication is that it's possible to know an individual based on some larger group identification.
Gay. Black. Immigrant.
Pitt grad.

Saying you hate gay people is silly -- that's the teachable moment Sober draws from all this? Huh. Declaring you love gay people is silly? Its unfortunate that Sober opted for a jab at Pitt fans in lieu of actually saying something meaningful about the pervasion of homophobia in the sports world. Its great that he's a fan of John Amaechi, but he trips right over his blase attitude into the treacherous world of "let's pretend there are no difference and see everyone as the same."

Columnist Tom Purcell uses gay sheep experimentation to underscore the collapse of civilization. Not because of gay sheep, but because of America's obsession with gay sheep and Anna Nicole Smith. Some researchers were exploring the sexuality of sheep. Hue and cry ensued about the ethics of such research, bringing the attention of such entities as PETA and Martina Navritalova. Purcell takes the obligatory "nutty advocacy group" shot at PETA, dismisses any possibility that genetic research on sexual orientation could possibly be used against gays and then wraps up his analysis with this overreaching comparison:

Evil dictators are stifling freedom and torturing millions. Ethnic hatred and genocide are killing millions. Pestilence and disease are killing millions more. But we're more attuned to things that don't matter, such as "American Idol."
And we're at war. Western civilization is in a battle of wills with fanatics who hope to restore 6th century values. They intend to get their hands on some frighteningly powerful bombs to make us bend to that will.

I'm sorry, Tom, but in a nation that has collectively handed over our welfare to a despotic idiot, I'm feeling pretty good when groups like PETA bring our attention to potential landmines. Especially when I look at your previous columns which don't seem to focus on evil dictators, torture or genocide. But they do feature a lot of italicized words and exclamation points. Its practically the same thing.

So more gay-benign pablum from the Tribune-Review.

How Long Until Hardaway Ends Up In Rehab?

Sue — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:40:31 -0500

"I don't hate gay people," [Tim] Hardaway said. "I'm a goodhearted person. I interact with people all the time. ... I respect people. For me to say 'hate' was a bad word, and I didn't mean to use it."

That's apology-take two. He didn't mean to hate on us. And he's surprised at the reaction --- as if he had killed somebody. He even lost an endorsement.

How much you willing to wager that he ends up in "rehab" like Isaiah Washington, Mel Gibson and Michael Richards?

PG Editors: Hardaway 'Profoundly Ignorant Millionaire Athlete'

Sue — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 07:05:43 -0500

The PG editors chime in on Tim Hardaway's banishment from the NBA All-Star weekend in response to his "I hate gay people" comments.

Former Orlando Heat basketball star Tim Hardaway showed just how profoundly ignorant a millionaire athlete can be and still tie his own shoes in the morning.

That's a great line.

"I hate gay people" comment giving homophobes a black eye

Sue — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 17:33:22 -0500

This is just too delicious. The Concerned Women for America are taking former NBA player Tim Harding to task for his recent homophobic rant. The CWA fears that Harding's blatant bigotry will taint the anti-gay movement. Or something like that. Just check this out:

"Hardaway’s comments are both unfortunate and inappropriate,” said Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues. “They provide political fodder for those who wish to paint all opposition to the homosexual lifestyle as being rooted in ‘hate.’ It’s important to note that Hardaway’s words represent the feelings of Hardaway. His words do not represent the feelings of the vast majority of people opposed to the homosexual agenda.

“It’s perfectly natural for people to be repelled by disordered sexual behaviors that are both unnatural, and immoral,” said Barber. “All too often those behaviors are accompanied by serious physical, emotional, and spiritual pitfalls. However, the appropriate reaction is to respond with words and acts of love, not words of hate. Jesus Christ offers forgiveness and freedom for all sinners, and that is the heart of the Gospel message.

“Thousands of former homosexuals have been freed from the homosexual lifestyle through acts of love. Hardaway’s comments only serve to foment misperceptions of widespread homosexual ‘victimhood’ which the homosexual lobby has craftily manufactured.”

I can't make this shit up.

This is the kind of Christian-flavored bigotry that makes me puke. As I was trying to explain to H's Mom in an earlier post, hate is a slippery slope. H's Mom and her fear of lesbian-association for her daughter might seem a far cry from "I hate gay people," but if you interject the intermediary step described above ... its not so crazy a leap is it?

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.

First Openly Gay NBA Player On Tour for Human Rights Campaign, Not Coming to Pittsburgh

Sue — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:38:02 -0500

John Amaechi, once a star player for the Orlando Magic, is the first NBA player to ever publicly come out as a gay man. Now retired from basketball, Amaechi's unique story is detailed in his autobiography, Man in the Middle just released by ESPN Books.

Now, Amaechi is an official spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project, a program designed to help gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people come out and live openly.

Amaechi is launching a nationwide tour to share his story and encourage conversation about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

**********************************************************

Kudos to John who, sadly, will not be bringing his tour to Pittsburgh. He will be in Philly on March 10. Other stops include DC, Atlanta, Dallas and New York.

Huh.

I think a few appearances in Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri and North Dakota might reach people who are alienated a bit more than say in DC which has a thriving gay community. But that's just me. We have no basketball team here so I guess we're off the radar. However, that also means we are off the hook for providing yet another new sports venue so perhaps its a wash.

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?

PG Reader: Tony Norman Right About Minority Homophobia

Sue — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:51:12 -0500

Ray McGogney of Shaler on homophobia in minority communities:

One can spout anti-gay epithets with impunity and cloak the bigotry in religious and moral overtones.

<snip>

Unfortunately, too few leaders are willing to risk offending their ethnic or religious base by taking a stand against homophobia.

Ray writes in response to Tony Norman's recent column on the furor around an African-American actor's usage of the term "faggot" to describe a fellow (gay) actor. You may have heard something about it.

A perfect example is Superbowl bound coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, who is accepting honors from anti-gay Indiana Family Institute. This is the local affiliate of big Daddy Jimmy Dobson and his merry band of Focus on the Family bigots. This group makes no bones about their opposition to homosexuality, period. We are diseased beings who need to be cured and kept away from the children.

There's no discernible homophobic reason for Dungy to ally himself with this organization, according to OutSports. Dugy isn't on the record as being openly anti-gay, but he is very clear about being a Biblically based Christian.

"Whenever I'm asked to talk about it I make sure people understand my affiliation as a Christian, that I follow Christ and Christ's teachings according to the Bible," Dungy said in 2002.

Uh oh. Those are ominous words for us homos.

We can infer all we want, but my real point is that Dungy is using his good name to raise money for a group that wants to strip homosexuals of our civil rights in the name of religion.

Here's the take from an Indiana LGBT blogger, Bilerico:

But Tony's prominent appearance before this group, as a representative of a major sports institution in Indianapolis, sends a chilling message. All of us shared the grief that Tony and his family experienced a year ago when his son took his own life. I understand that stories about a connection to sexual orientation were unfounded, and I would defend Tony's right to consider that a private matter. Still, there is an irony many of us in the LGBT community know well: The number of LGBT youth who have taken their lives because of self-hatred and homophobia is much above the national average. Organizations of the IFI variety cannot escape the fruits of their helping to foster the myths and resulting bigotry which contribute to those grim statistics. Surely Tony doesn't in any way support that; so why is he lending his celebrity and role model status to such a group?

Point well made. It doesn't look good so I'll be cheering for Chicago.

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.

PG Editors: NFL right to fine Joey Porter

Sue — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:01:44 -0500

The PG editors got it right on this one:

WHO SAID TALK is cheap? Probably not Steelers linebacker Joey Porter. On Thursday, the National Football League fined him $10,000 for calling a Cleveland Browns player a derogatory term associated with gay men. (Earlier in the season, he was fined $15,000 for other comments made to an official in a game at Atlanta). To his credit, the Steelers player apologized for the anti-gay remark to anyone who was offended -- anyone, that is, except the target of his wrath, Kellen Winslow. Unfortunately, that is part of the problem -- an insult draws from a common pool of prejudice and a player can't throw it at one person without splattering the larger group. Not too long ago, anti-gay slurs were part of the common language of men's sports, but then so were racist remarks. The NFL is right not to tolerate hate-filled words of any sort.

Interesting aside ...Leo Patterson of Derry took the time to write in to the Trib and share his belief that the media has made a mountain out of a molehill on this issue.

Enough is enough. No one in this country has a right to not be offended. Winslow got over it. Any other "victims" can tell Oprah how Joey's comment impacted their already pathetic lives.

He couldn't just leave it at "get over it" could he? He just couldn't resist the little underhanded "you pathetic loser" slam! This is Joey Porter's fan base.

Joey Porter blames media for Fag Slur upset (and $10,000 fine)

Sue — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:16:16 -0500

Joey Porter thinks he's being treated too harshly for describing Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow as a "fag" following a recent game. Apparently, Porter grew up in the neighborhood where men don't take responsibility for their actions, but point their fingers and petulantly stomp their feet when they are called on the carpet for misbehavior. Here's Joey from Friday's Post-Gazette:

"I just don't understand how you can get a DUI or fail a drug test and nothing happens," Porter said. "You say something, you get fined. That just don't make any sense.
"You'd think if you get a DUI or something, you should get fined. If you fail a drug test, you should get fined. But for saying a word, you get fined. That's kind of backward to me."

While it is an interesting point, I doubt Joey is leading the charge against drug and alcohol abuse in the NFL. He's just deflecting attention and trying to minimize the seriousness of his offense.

Joey also thinks its the media's fault.

"There was enough publicity about it," Porter said. "Y'all keep talking about it. Y'all going to make them do something. If y'all wouldn't have just kept talking about it, [the fine] wouldn't have happened. Y'all need a story so you keep talking about it. So they say, all right, let's fine him then because everybody seems to be upset about it."

Earlier in the week, he blames his childhood b/c "everybody used that word." Today its the media. How much longer til he actually blames the gay community? Note how he thinks his fans are simple sheep without the capacity to recognize a slanderous comment when they hear one.

But in one sense, the fans are to blame. Whether Hollywood or professional sports, we create these meglomaniacal bastards to keep us entertained and amused vis a vis the cult of celebrity. Pay someone $14 kajillion for anything and it goes without saying that you've created hubris beyond all proportions of decency. I'm sure that short of actually murdering someone - perhaps a child - in cold blood, these is little Joey Porter could do that would cause his fans to turn on him OR force him to grow up and act like a man instead of a spoiled little child.

Except lose football games.

Joey Porter Blames Fag Comment on his Childhood

Sue — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:38:05 -0500

Joey Porter's non-apology:

I would just like to say it was a poor choice of words in the comment I made toward Winslow," Porter said. "If I offended anybody, I apologize for that."

I guess how we used that word freely, me growing up using it, I didn't think nothing of it like that," Porter said. "Like I said, I apologize to anybody I offended on it.

Translation - it doesn't really matter if we offend homos but let's cover our asses with some lame quasi-apology.

Note how Porter uses this as yet another opportunity to demonstrate his bad ass poseur street cred as demonstrated by intionally poor grammar and a complete failure to take responsibility for his actions. Sort of like Santonio Holmes and domestic violence. Minus the bruises.

PG sports columnist Ron Cook calls this particular Porterism the "worst of all" of his "macho, most-feared-man nonsense." He also points out the obvious.

Porter has made millions from the Steelers and the NFL. He, like any player, coach, team official or league official, has to realize who makes all that jack possible. People from every race, religion, ethnic background and sexual orientation buy NFL tickets and merchandise. It's pretty stupid to use a derogatory term that's insulting to any group.

Bingo, Ron. Trouble is the Steelers seems to care less about the money spent by domestic violence victims and the gay community.

Joey Porter Calls Cleveland Tight End a "Fag"

Sue — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:56:20 -0500

Hmmmm. Thursday night the Steelers beat Cleveland in what turned out to be a good game (for us in Pittsburgh) played in frigid temperatures. That wasn't good enough for hallowed Steeler linebacker Joey Porter. Porter took umbrage with a late hit by Cleveland's Kellen Winslow on a Steeler player.

Here's the quote from the Tribune-Review minus the f-word:

"It was late, that's what (slur) do," Porter said. "He's soft. He wants to be tough but he's really soft."

Nice. Fags hit late. Who knew?

I caught this story on KDKA tonight (not up on the website yet). Interesting how most people thought it was unsportsmanlike and "inappropriate" language. No one was saying that about Michael Richards were they? If a white player used a racial slur in the same situation, he'd be crucified. One guy said he didn't mind it all. At least he's honest.

Outsports has this comment:

Expect a public apology from Porter to "anyone who was offended" by this afternoon.

That about sums it up. We aren't exactly the city of taking responsibility are we?

Its Official: Lesbians Love the Steelers

Sue — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:23:37 -0400

From Blog'N Gold comes this word about Steelers fans ...

"Everybody in Pittsburgh loves the Steelers. Not likes, not follows, but loves. And I don't mean Everybody but, it is everybody, the old ladies, the lesbians, the gay men ... college professors, annoying hipsters (not ironic), feminists. Everybody in that city loves the Steelers."

What about the bisexuals? Do they have no strong football preferences?

I can say this about Steeler love amongst the lesbians and bisexual women - a few years ago, I organized an adult toy party open to any local interested LGBTQ woman. It ended up being a Steeler playoff night. So even though we packed the GLCC with toy curious women, many others cancelled in favor of their Steelers. I had multiple calls from women who were actually angry with me for making them choose. As if I could predict the playoffs!

I have to admit my Steeler-mania has been colored by a year's residence on the Northside. There's something very ardor-quenching when you confront the members of the Steeler Nation face to face in all their rude, boorish behavior. Now I rather enjoy watching the local vandals break into the cars. Its sort of poetic justice for being too cheap to pay for parking and clogging up my neighborhood. One particular asshole chained his grill to the fence in the field behind our house and left it there all season. Its not your private villa dude!

I'm also hopeful feminists rethink the whole Steeler bit given their f*cked up decision to sign avowed thug Santonio Holmes. That decision undid lots of hard work by feminists and women everywhere on domestic violence initiatives. But no further word on that b/c the trial has been postponed until after the season. And Steeler lovin' women everywhere will find a reason to justify it ....

If you are toy curious, go to Girls Night In for more information on how to organize your own toy party.

Santonio Holmes aka Mike Tyson is a Abusive Thug Who Should Rot In Jail

Sue — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:02:35 -0400

A quote from Santonio Holmes' attorney in a late-night PG article is so f*cking outrageous that I had to post. I need to sleep, but this seems more pressing for all you late night blog readers ...

As you know, Santonio faces domestic violence charges stemming from a June 19 incident in which the mother of his daughter called 911 to report physical abuse.

Guess what? She's refusing to testify which is not uncommon for domestic violence victims. It doesn't make her a bad woman or complicit in her abuse. It makes her a human being who is probably under terrible duress from all the media scrutiny and high power muckety mucks who need their meal ticket to walk away from this little situation.

Here's what got my goat ... a quote from Holmes' attorney Sam Shemansky:

"As DV cases go, this is not World War III," he said. "This is not a woman with her eye blackened shut. It's nothing like that. It's polar opposite from that. My hope is that after we've fulfilled obligations on our part, that the government will be willing to follow the wishes of the alleged victim and dismiss the matter in its entirety."

Excuse me? The polar opposite of a woman having her eyes blackened shut would be a woman in a healthy respectful relationship with a partner who doesn't abuse her. NOT SOMEONE WHO ABUSES HER A LITTLE BIT ....

This is so NOT the polar opposite. Not someone who has been arrested twice in the past 3 months. Not someone who got a traffic citation after damaging another person's car and only made restitution when facing a warrant. Not someone who sets the stellar example of fathering three children in multiple states with different women all at the ripe age of 22.

Santonio Holmes is a thug. Pure and simple. He's a thug with talent sort of like Mike Tyson. And if he gets rewarded for playing mister fucking contrite, he'll end up Mike Tyson. Too bad all the poor women he batters along the way won't have the consolation of a multi-million dollar contract.

If the Steelers sign him, shame on them. And a pox upon their 2006 record.

Happy Birthday Title IX - What's Happening in Pennsylvania?

Sue — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 09:55:01 -0400

From the cool chicks at Feministe (including the title which is just perfect) ....

* Women don't really understand Title IX or the variety of ways in which impacts education (not just sports and athletics)

* It is under continuous attack b/c we obviously discriminating against boys

* It hasn't been enforced effectively

* The current administration wants to deep-six it. Surprise, surprise.

The uber-cool Women's Law Project hosted a Title IX seminar a few years ago which your Correspondents attended. It was fascinating for moi as someone who did not really understand it, especially the aspects of gender discrimination underlying anti-bullying programs.

Here's a few tidbits from the WLP website on Title IX things you should know about here in Pennsylvania:

Slippery Rock University - The lawsuit was brought on behalf of twelve student athletes and a coach against Slippery Rock University (SRU). The lawsuit, filed three months after SRU announced it was going to cut three women's varsity sports, claims that SRU provides neither equitable athletic opportunities for its female students nor equitable treatment of female student athletes.

Report - Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics: Where Does Pennsylvania Stand?

Back in the 80's, I decided to join the track team. The women's team had historically been just a goof off team -- they literally had been doing each other's nails at practice. Then the school decided to put the entire track program under one coach, Mr. Shar. That was my first year. We had the same resources, the same commitment, the same expectations. Only three women lettered, including yours truly and I got it b/c I was the only woman on the entire team who showed up for every practice and every event even though I only scored one point the entire season.

My point, aside from bragging about my glory days - ahem, is that a lot of people criticized the rest of the women's team for being uncommitted, undisciplined, lazy girls who preferred to do nails than develop their talents and skills. No one EVER said a word about all those years that these talented women had been shunted off to the side with a do nothing coach, no support, no equipment, nothing. It was like being set up for failure -- they give us the resources and a few of us succeed which proves that the rest of the girls weren't worth the resource invesment. What a load of crap. In fact, I think the fact that I excelled is due to having the best resources from the get go and not having to undo years of second class citizenship.

We've got a long way to go baby.

McIntire Does Mary Cheney - The Interview Live

Sue — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:13:55 -0400

7:01 PM ------- Live tonight on KDKA, John McIntire talks with Mary Cheney for the lesbian perspective on the Ben Roethlisberger situation .... tune into 1020 AM ....

7:15 PM -------- Mary Cheney's book has sold less than 6,000 copies since its May debut according to OnePageQ.

7:16 PM -------- Marriage amendment "its a bad idea, how about that?" says Mary.

7:17 PM -------- She sounds like she's chewing on a duck. She came "darn close to quitting." She was troubled working for George Bush, but she stayed for Daddy. He thinks discrimination should be left to the states. She also stayed b/c terrorists will hurt our country so she didn't have the luxury to be concerned about same sex marriage.

7:20 PM --------

7:23 PM -- ----- President Bush has at least tried to have a civil discussion around this.

7:25 PM --------- President Bush wakes up every morning thinking "what am I going to do to keep this country safe?" Just like her Dad.

7:27 PM --------- "People can look at it that way and its a valid opinion. People can look at it another way and its a valid opinion." WTF?

7:29 PM ---------- John tosses gay rights softballs to Mary Cheney. She is possibly the most boring controversial guest he's ever had on the air.

7:29 PM ---------- The Western state of mind. People treat people as individuals. Even gays. Or poor people. Maybe even poor black gay people.

7:30 PM ---------- KDKA is going to my hometown West Mifflin this week. Our former police chief faces more than 19 counts of drug charges. Its a great town.

7:32 PM ---------- Mary's partner Heather is a nice person who doesn't bitch slap people. She's supportive blah, blah, blah.

7:34 PM ---------- Parents come to her book signings and her book helps them deal with having a gay child. Or they are happy that she says nice things about her parents. Because people don't do that these days.

7:35 PM ---------- We have purposeful and decisive leadership in Iraq. They've held 3 elections. A cabinet has been named. We got the big one. But there are still a few insurgents. John: "and 100,000 innocent civilians are dead." Mary: "give me a name to verify that."

7:40 PM ------I try to call and the phone rings incesssantly.

7:41 PM ------ A woman calls her on working for the Coors family and reaching out to gays for a conservative company. Mary takes credit for making the entire Fortune 500 gay friendly.

7:43 PM ------- NOW ITS MY TURN! Mary is making a difference by being open about who she is. Iraqi gays have more important thiings to worry about than being gay. Then I got cut off. Oh well ....

7:45 PM ------- I should have listened to my gut and watched the rerun of Friends and Seinfeld. Or cleaned the cat litter. I can't believe I got suckered into calling. Note: I allowed myself to get suckered -- I was not the sucking victim of any one particular person.

7:47 PM ------- Her goal was to write a book that she could be proud of and sell a few copies. Pittsburgh is not on the book signing list.

*************************************

Overall, this was not very exciting. She had nothing noteworthy to say about gay issues. She did show some spunk defending the Iraq war, but has this weird delusion that the President wakes up every day thinking how to keep America safe. I think Paris Hilton has more insight into the life of the typical American homo than Mary Cheney. Ah well ... kudos to John for putting her on the air.

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.

Russian Christians Partner with Skinheads on Gay Rights

Sue — Mon, 01 May 2006 12:52:29 -0400

Here's a sad fact: Russian Orthdox Catholics are working in unity with
skinheads to oppose gay rights.

On Sunday
police had to hold back a crowd of bottle-tossing skinheads and Bible-
clutching church folks who were protesting a gay event at a local club.

Not to be outdone by the Christian-Skinhead connection, Russian Muslims are
threatening to kill gays if they proceed with plans to celebrate Pride.

PrideFest is scheduled for May 26 and 27 in Moscow. If the city bans the
event, organizers plan to take the matter to the European Court of Human
Rights.

Sounds like a crowd where Fred Phelps would feel right at home.

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)

Big Lesbian Welcome to Correspondent Shelly

Sue — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 11:47:35 -0400

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents is pleased to welcome our newest
correspondent Shelly. We've known Shelly for several years -- she is very
active in the local LGBT community. Her writing, you will find, is
articulate, insightful and from a slightly different perspective than Ledcat
and me.

Three's Company, too!

Welcome aboard Shelly!

Sue

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.