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. 

Apparently, I spoke too soon.   Today's Post-Gazette includes a letter to the editor from Nancy Staible of Zelienople, Pennsylvania Director of Concerned Women for America.  Ms. Staible rambles on about children needing two parents and the fact that married couples are wealthier and less prone to injury.  After reading her letter 4 or 5 times, I still don't understand why a constitutional amendment will strengthen marriage.  If the goal is wealth and children, perhaps the women should be more concerned about creating jobs, improving healthcare, reforming taxes and maybe a bit of attention for daycare and education services. 

On the bright side, Jason Feldstein of Squirrel Hill distinguishes civil from sacramental marriage. "If we value freedom of assembly and freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the First Amendment, then the answer is clear; if you have a problem with same-sex marriages, join a church that refuses to perform them. Even stand in the street and preach about the evils of homosexuality, if you like -- that's your constitutional right. But keep your paws off other people's civil liberties."

Kudos to Mr. Feldstein for actually making a rational argument. 

Holy smokes .. this one slipped under the radar.  An amendment to the Higher Education Act will allow private Christian colleges to be exempted from state and local non-discrimination laws when it comes to accreditation.  Its a cloak and dagger maneuver to essentially allow Christian schools to reject (or expel) homosexual students w/o fear of violating an accreditation standard.  According to 365gay.com, most accreditating bodies do not make compliance with nondiscrimination laws a requirement.

But it passed the House and is heading for the Senate. 

The pressure stems from the Soulforce Equality Ride which is visiting private Christian colleges around the country and, apparently, making some waves in among the wingers. 

Now I attended a private Catholic school, Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.  I was not out at the time (took me another 10 years).  However, I regularly send in alumni updates (shameless self promotion) and always include references to my living status much like other alumni reference their spouses and children ... Mary and her husband Billy live in Annapolis with their three children, Chase, Carter and Gideon.  And to my surprise, they publish it! 

Has there been fallout?  You bet.  My favorite undergraduate instructor has failed to respond to any of my email messages, holiday cards or letters.  He just stopped communicating with me.  He is an ardent Republican Catholic, but I never would have pegged him for a bigot.  I'm hopeful there is some other explanation, but the timing is suspicious. 

Back to educational discrimination, what about a 20 year old kid struggling with his identity?  Should he be expelled simply for being gay?  For talking about being gay?  Do these universities expel heterosexual students for having sex which is also a big Christian no-no?  Of course not!  

Ah ... the sweet smell of Christian hypocrisy wafts over the land once again ...

Sue