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.

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.