Something Insidious Lurks Beneath Those "Training Rules," in QFest Featured Documentary
By Sherri Rase
photo courtesy of QFest
'Training Rules'
Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker tell the story of the army of Davids that it took to bring to light the discrimination by a particularly insidious Goliath. "Training Rules" (USA 2008, 58 minutes) unfolds as well-woven tapestry of testimony from the women at the heart of the hidden maelstrom.
Rene Portland was one of the most winning coaches in the history of women's basketball. She is one of only nine women coaches to have won 600 games or more during a coaching career. There is no doubt she fielded winning teams-but at what cost? Portland had three rules for her teams: 1. No Drinking, 2. No Drugs, and 3. No Lesbians. Talented women on her teams, whom Portland identified as lesbian or leaning, were summarily threatened. A woman might be called into the office for a conversation. The false accusations would be made and egos would be eroded at the knifepoint intersection of skill and young adult development, just when nascent personalities should be blooming.
Many lesbian and gay people play sports and play straight, having come up through programs like Portland's. It is only now that homosexual sports stars can begin to be the true heroes to all up-and-coming players for their skills and unafraid to be all they can be. If you played sports in junior high and high school, male or female, gay or straight, this film is a must see. If you are gay or lesbian and an athlete, this film has amazing and particular reach and relevance. Painful and therapeutic, it is a work of art.
Co-director and co-producer Mosbacher will receive QFest and Equality Forum's Barbara Gittings Award, named for the late lesbian activist, at the July 18, 4:45 p.m. screening of "Training Rules" at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street. A second showing of the documentary is slated for the following day at 9 p.m. at the Ritz East, in Theater Two, 125 South Second Street. Qfest's website is www.phillycinema.org.
