The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is planning to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission today on behalf of former Penn State women's basketball player Jen Harris against Lady Lions coach Rene Portland, Athletic Director Tim Curley and the university.

The complaint alleges discrimination based on gender and race, not sexual orientation, NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter said.

Minter cited Portland's attempt to change the way Harris dressed as means for gender discrimination, and Portland's insisting that Harris stop wearing cornrows as racial discrimination.

Minter said Portland's demands were based on racial and gender stereotypes.

The NCLR's legal claims for race and gender discrimination will be filed under the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Rights Act.

According to its Web site, the commission does not have responsibility over sexual orientation.

The university's Office of Affirmative Action has been investigating allegations of an anti-gay bias brought forth by the NCLR on behalf of Harris against Portland.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the university has asked the NCLR to cooperate with its investigation.

Mahon said the university has requested that the NCLR share information regarding the allegations, but the group has not yet complied.

"We asked them if they would let their client talk with our folks who are doing the investigation, and they have not done so, so far," Mahon said.

Minter said the NCLR is currently in the process of setting up a meeting between Harris and the university.

In a face-to-face meeting with Penn

State attorney Wendell Courtney and Office of Affirmative Action Director Ken Lehrman last week, Karen Doering, Harris' attorney, received confirmation that Portland's previous statement denying Harris' claims was a personal statement.

The university has said Portland was not speaking on behalf of the university, and that Portland has a constitutional right to respond to any allegations brought against her by Harris and the NCLR.

When the commission renders its decision, it will rule either in favor of the NCLR's allegations and force action by the university, or it will rule against the complaint and give Harris' representation the right to file suit, Minter said.

The complaint is a prerequisite to taking legal action in Pennsylvania, but the NCLR can file suit in federal court whenever it chooses. Minter said it is the university's responsibility to continue its investigation into the accusations of anti-lesbian bias.

"We are willing, right now, to see what happens in the university investigation," Minter said.