Homophobia in women’s sports is an issue that has tainted what it stands for. This is an issue in every level of sports from coaches, players, parents and fans. Society has placed undue pressure on women athletes who don’t fit the normal gender roles. Normal gender roles consist of wearing make-up, keeping hair done, wearing feminine attire and being a mother figure. Wearing baggy clothes, braids and no make-up and having a tattoo is seen as unfeminine.

In the world of women’s sports questioning a player’s femininity and her sexuality is a way to control her. For example, if she’s just as good and athlete as a man, she might be seen as a threat in the business world, to strong not submissive, equal to a men.

A well publicized law suit brought by former player Jennifer Harris, against then coach Maureen Rene Portland and Pennsylvania State University. The player alleged orientation discrimination. The coach was adamant and had made past and public statements “I will not have it in my program.”  This was an example of chronic obsession with homophobia. The coach asked the other team members to spy on her and she was even accused by the coach of being a lesbian. The coach dismissed Harris at the end of her sophomore year “citing poor performance and a work ethic and attitude that was detrimental to the team.”

Harris started in 22 of the 30 games and was one of the top scorer’s. Her overall performance for points scored, three-point shots, free throws, assists, and steals netted her one of the players eligible to return the next year. So there was no reason she should have been let go from the team.