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.

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

 

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

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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.

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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? 

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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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 ...

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"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."

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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.

 

You know Rene Portland is not my favorite person.  She is found guilty of discriminating against lesbians (or perceived lesbians) and Penn State gives her a little slap on the wrist. 

As the Trib reports, Penn State is clearly responsible for "creating Rene Portland and allowing her to get away with this" per Jennifer Harris attorney. 

What's amazing (or maybe just depressing) is that parent's of female basketball players don't find this in the least bit disturbing. 

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Norma O'Rourke, mother of freshman point guard Brianne O'Rourke, said she and her daughter are happy Portland is returning.

"I feel bad that this disrupted the team," Norma O'Rourke said. "It is a shame what (Portland) went through. I am glad she is still here. She has the support of so many people."

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And recruits from Pgh?  Well, they intend to head right into the vipers den ...

This is the best example of head-in-the-sand thinking ...

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Oakland Catholic junior guard Erica Prosser's father Craig said he would have no problem with his daughter attending Penn State. Erica said she feels the same way.

"Most of what I have heard is all good about her," Prosser said. "My family and I would have no problem with going there. I have talked to (Penn State freshman guard) Brianne O'Rourke, not specifically about Jen, but she said things are going well."

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And from the Post-Gazette, a voice of reason from B.J. Searcy of Monessen ...

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I pray that some of that compassion be directed toward the women whose young adult lives were painfully disrupted by the discrimination and humiliation they experienced at her the hands of Portland.

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That's right BJ.  Rene Portland's homophobia has HURT young women for over 20 years.  Creating a hostile environment hurts the entire team both those who fall into the undesired category and those who are taught to shun and disdain them. 

Rene Portland's game record may be admirable, but her legacy is one of fear and intolerance.  Is that really the best environment for these promising young athletes? 

Sue

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.