STATE COLLEGE, Penn. – The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) says it will move forward in its lawsuit against Penn State’s women’s basketball coach Rene Portland.
The NCLR and defendent tried to resolve the matter in mediation May 15 but the attempt failed.
The NCLR is alleging that its client, Jennifer Harris, a heterosexual star player for the team, was harassed by Portland, accusing her of being gay. Harris was kicked off the squad. Since the lawsuit was filed in December, several other players have come forward claiming that Portland abused other players as well. According to GayWired, the abuse led many lesbian players to quit the team or lie about their sexual orientation.
Portland continues to deny that she harassed Harris. The suit is scheduled to go to trial next year.
