The above video is a trailer for the documentary Training Rules which examines how “women’s collegiate sports, caught in a web of homophobic practices, collude in the destruction of the lives and dreams of many of its most talented athletes.”
The film goes through the life of Jen Harris, a basketball star recruited since she was in the 5th grade by Penn State. After signing on to play at Penn, she then learned of Coach Rene Portland’s rules: no drugs, no drinking and no lesbians. Yea, you read it right.
Portland used tactics that were deemed “intimidating, hostile and offensive” against Jennifer when she was a Lady Lion, and eventually Harris was dismissed from the team - ruining the career of one of the top athletes in the nation. Jennifer’s story as well as those of six other women who were victimized through the years are told in this film.
Having played basketball myself in school, it’s so difficult to imagine having to deny a part of yourself to do something you love. And to have your career cut short because of someone else’s bigotry? Wackness. Have any of you guys experienced discrimination based on your sexual orientation by coaches in the sports arena?
(via blaktivist)
