Penn State lawyers said the university did not create a hostile environment for an openly lesbian former professor who is suing the university for alleged gender and sexual orientation discrimination.

Constance R. Matthews filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania Middle District Court in January against the university and two of her superiors, Promotion and Tenure committee member Jerry Trusty and College of Education Dean David Monk. The defendants filed a response a week and a half ago, denying all allegations and asking that the complaints against them be dismissed.

"It is denied that Defendants have, through policies or practice, engaged in discriminatory or other unlawful activity towards women or sexual minorities," the response read.

Matthews taught in the College of Education and is an advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, according to court documents. She is asking for monetary relief.

In her complaint, Matthews said her research was of sufficient quality and quantity to justify a grant of tenure and a promotion to Associate Professor, both of which she was denied in 2005.

The lawsuit also states that no female or openly gay professor in Counselor Education, Matthews' academic program, has been offered a tenured position.

John Snyder, one of Penn State's attorneys, would not comment because of the pending court case.

Penn State professor Beverly Lindsay, also from the College of Education, sued the school for racial discrimination in September. The case is in mediation.

"It is denied that any unlawful discrimination caused any failure to promote or tenure women within the college or Department," said Penn State's response to Matthews' lawsuit.

Jana Barnett, one of the Matthews' attorneys, said while she doesn't see a direct connection to her client's case and the cases of other university employees, the repeated discrimination complaints might be indicative of a larger discrimination problem at Penn State.

Mitchell Aboulafia, former philosophy department head, filed a lawsuit in 2005 claiming that he was demoted after reporting alleged discrimination within the department.

Pharmacology professor Joan Summy-Long filed a lawsuit in June claiming that the university's alleged refusal to grant her salary raises, promotions, bonuses and other benefits was a result of gender discrimination.

Barnett said she thinks it is easier for people to try to justify discrimination against the LGBT community.

"I think that it is more socially acceptable to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation than it is based on factors such as race, color, creed, national origin or disability," Barnett said. "You see the Bible invoked frequently to justify sexual orientation discrimination, so it's not surprising that it will take longer to eradicate."

Barnett said an initial case management conference, when the parties will discuss scheduling matters with a judge, is set for May 7.