Birmingham SHOUT Gay + Lesbian Film Festival 2009

Rene Portland had three training rules during her 26 years coaching basketball at Pennsylvania State University—no drinking, no drugs and no lesbians. Training Rules examines how a wealthy athletic department, enabled by the silence of a complacent university, allowed talented athletes, thought to be gay, to be dismissed from their college team. In 2006, student athlete Jennifer Harris, in conjunction with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, filed charges against Pennsylvania State University and basketball coach Rene Portland for discrimination based on sexual orientation. This lawsuit inspired others whose lives were shattered during Coach Portland's reign to come forward. The film focuses on these individuals and investigates why organizations, established to protect these athletes have done so little to end this common form of victimization. Training Rules serves as a wake-up call to the many athletic departments nationwide that still discriminate against their student athletes and coaches.