An openly lesbian former Penn State assistant professor is suing the university on the grounds of discrimination based on her gender and sexual orientation, and in retaliation for her outspoken opposition to discriminatory practices.

Constance R. Matthews was an assistant professor in the College of Education until 2005, when she was denied tenure by the university. Her employment at Penn State was terminated in June 2006.

According to the complaint filed in federal court today, Matthews alleges defendants Jerry Trusty, a member of her department's Promotion and Tenure Committee, and David Monk, the dean of the College of Education, passed over her qualifications for tenure because of her gender, orientation and her opposition to their discriminatory practices.

To date, the lawsuit says that no female or openly gay or lesbian professor has been granted tenure in the College of Education.

The complaint is one of four discrimination lawsuits filed against the university in the past year and a half. In September, Penn State professor Beverly Lindsay, also a faculty member in the College of Education, filed a lawsuit alleging racism practiced by her employers.

Check tomorrow's Collegian for the full story.