TRAINING RULES: Q&A with Dee Mosbacher: Part I
Have you heard from Rene Portland — or anyone associated with her — after the film was completed?
No. We made a diligent effort to find her, but it was clear she had no interest in talking to us.
I would like to clarify something. Although we've been discussing the Penn State case, I want to make sure that you understand that this form of discrimination, based on sexual orientation goes on every day at colleges, universities, high schools and in professional sports. And it happens to both women and men, albeit in very different ways.
So, what about men's sports? Would you say that blatant homophobia is an issue there as well? If so, are there any differences in the way it's "practiced" or …?
The assumptions about women and men's sports are polar opposites. If you're a woman and you play sports, often the better you are, the more likely that you are presumed to be a lesbian. It doesn't matter whether you are straight or gay; the assumption is there. That's why you see so many ponytails and so much make-up on the court. If you can just look femme enough, perhaps you can escape that assumption, and you can keep your starting position, your scholarship, your coaching job, etc.
Since Title IX came into being in 1972 [prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs] and money flowed into women's athletics, the number of female coaches has declined from 90% to 42%. It's not because women can't coach. It's because of homophobia! If athletic directors hire men, they don't need to worry about the "lesbian issue."
Conversely, if you are a man who plays sports, particularly butch sports, you are presumed to be straight. The better you are, the less likely that you could be gay. The whole men's sports industrial construct exists on this assumption. If one of these butt-slapping, towel-snapping "manly men" came out, it could be very dangerous. Retired NFL player Esera Tuaolo and others have talked about the constant fear they lived with — of being discovered and of being hurt or even killed.
Are you working on something else at the moment — or any film plans for the near future?
Whenever I speak out loud about plans for another film my spouse of 34 years, Nanette, gives me the evil eye. So, I'm just fantasizing right now.