Hope College Refuses To Change Policy Condemning Homosexuality Despite Dustin Lance Black Involvement, Zac Efron Runs, Diego Cristo, Court Challenges To UK Gay And Lesbian Asylum Application Process, Jake Gyllenhaal Red Carpet Cuteness

Hope College Friday announced it will not alter its policy, implemented in 1995, that condemns homosexual acts and gay advocacy. Alumni, student, and community groups had coordinated to petition Hope College’s board of trustees in an effort to drop that policy, and to support a “fair and kind treatment for people with a homosexual orientation” as well as “the academic discussion of issues related to homosexuality.” The petition was the result of a ruling by college administrators not to allow Dustin Lance Black to host an on-campus screening of his authored movie Milk, followed by a question and answer session. At the time Black was visiting Holland, Michigan, filming his directorial debut What’s Wrong with Virginia. The board of trustees did not allow any member of the alumni group to attend the meeting Friday afternoon, and they offered only a written statement that read in part “the college’s current position on homosexuality is based on its interpretation of scripture. In is recognized that well-intentioned Christians may disagree on scriptural interpretation. Still, humbly and respectfully, the college aligns itself in its interpretation with its founding denomination, the Reformed Church in America, the orthodox Christian Church throughout the ages, and other Christian colleges and universities.” The board did announce that it created a trustee committee to “expand the college’s 1995 position statement in the larger context of all human sexuality.” Ron Wienerink, a 1961 Hope College alum who signed the petition, said “we were disappoint they did not allow Don Lubbers, our spokesman, to present our petition. We’re disappointed in the decision that was made. We’re disappointed in the brevity of the statement and that there was not procedure described.”

Zac Efron spotted Saturday near his Los Angeles home, working out.

The seriously sexy Brazilian actor Diego Cristo was seen Friday on the beach in a teeny, tiny, tight black bathing suit.

Monday, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom will begin hearing arguments challenging the laws governing gay and lesbian asylum applicants. The policy currently employed by the Home Office and by British courts currently relies on gay men and women seeking refuge to deliberately conceal details of their sexuality in order to avoid subsequent persecution in their homeland where homosexuality is either illegal or likely to lead to attacks. According to attorneys who will argue two specific asylum applications, the Home Office routinely rejects application on the grounds that the gay men and women can return home and be “discreet” or “relocate.” Angela Mason, of the United Kingdom Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group, says “decisions are being made by Home Office case owners who lack essential training on dealing with such claims ... the result is that lesbian and gay asylum seekers who already experiencing persecution may also face discrimination in our own country.”

Jake Gyllenhaal spotted smouldering on the red carpet Saturday attending the world premiere of his new film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.