NEWS

Jaime Garner last week filed a federal lawsuit against the university, saying she was dismissed from the team because she is a lesbian. But in an interview with WLW, Ms. Garner said she's not a lesbian.

''Not by any means am I a lesbian or am I gay,'' she said.

That conflicts with statements by her attorney, Lisa T. Meeks, who has said her client is a lesbian. Contacted by The Post today, Ms. Meeks said she did not know about the radio interview. But, she said, it should not affect the lawsuit.

''If her coach perceived her as gay, it has the same effect,'' Ms. Meeks said.

Ms. Meeks said NKU's coach, Nancy Winstel, dismissed Ms. Garner earlier this year after a series of meetings in which the coach asked about Ms. Garner's sexual orientation. Ms. Meeks said Ms. Garner was dismissed after rumors surfaced that Ms. Garner was involved with a freshman on the basketball team.

On WLW, Ms. Garner indicated that she knew there was speculation about her sexual orientation.

''Being a lesbian is big in basketball and women's sports. I think a lot of women fear that,'' Ms. Garner told the station. ''I have gay friends. I'm not a homophobic. Religiously, I don't believe in it. I think it's a wrong thing. I'm not gay.

''I'd just like for it all to be over with. I'm upset about it. I've been answering a lot of questions from a lot of people.''

NKU did not comment on the lawsuit when it was filed but released a statement Monday saying Ms. Garner was dismissed from the women's team because of ''behavior disruptive of the team'' and not because of her sexual orientation.

''The university stands behind coach Winstel's decision, which was made in the best interest of the entire women's basketball team,'' the statement reads.

Nancy Winstel would not elaborate on what constituted ''disruptive behavior.''