Governor Perry Abhorrent Anti-Gay Stance Engendered From Desperation Divides Campaign Team And Christians, Quietly Chestnut Hill College Changes Its “No Gays” Policy Following Out Priest Controversy, Lady Gaga Backs Jonah Mowry, NBA Adds Sexual Orientation To Its Non-Discrimination Policy, Kris Humphries Keeps Moving, Ryan Kwanten

Governor Rick Perry of Texas’ hard turn the past two days on gay issues, in which he has suggested that gay rights are inconsistent with both American and Christian values, has generated enormous criticism from lesbian and gay organizations and some religious groups, and has even helped split Mr. Perry’s top campaign aides over a new ad. In that much-mocked campaign ad, released on Wednesday, Perry says “you don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday” to know it is wrong that gay men and lesbians openly serve in the military at a time when there is no organized prayer in public schools. Internally, a top Perry campaign adviser, Tony Fabrizio, was critical of the ad. The New York Times reports that a Perry aide did not deny division inside the campaign over the commercial — a split first reported by The Huffington Post — but chalked it up to the “occasionally salty” and robust interchanges between advisers. The ad came a day after Mr. Perry stood out in attacking as “silly” a new Obama administration initiative using diplomatic efforts and foreign aid to promote gay rights around the world and beat back efforts in other nations to criminalize homosexual conduct and persecute gays. This policy, Mr. Perry contended, was an “example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country.” Perry aides said neither the criticism of Mr. Obama nor the new ad were intended to be anti-gay, nor were they coordinated; they said that the ad had been in the works for weeks and that they had no advance notice of the administration’s new policy. Either way, Perry, who once was atop polls of the Republican presidential field, is running out of time to find a means to connect with the sort of social conservatives who have long been an important part of his base in Texas. Some social conservatives have abandoned Perry over his support for granting lower-cost in-state college tuition to some children of illegal immigrants. Iowa’s first in-the-nation Republican caucuses, which social conservatives dominate, are January 3. Perry’s decision to seize on gay issues appears to be an effort tap into the sentiment that led Iowa voters to remove three Supreme Court justices one year ago after they voted to legalize same-sex marriage. But this year, economic issues — which had initially dominated the focus of Mr. Perry’s campaign — remain the overwhelming concern for voters. In Iowa, where Mr. Perry is expected to campaign nearly nonstop for the three weeks before the caucuses, economic issues are weighing heavier on the minds of likely Republican caucus-goers than social issues like abortion or same sex marriage, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll of these voters. A majority of evangelical voters also shared that view. And another finding stood out: Nearly three out of five respondents said that they support legal recognition in one form or another for same sex couples. The poll found that 22-percent said same sex couples should be allowed to marry, while 36 percent said they supported civil unions. Only 38-percent said they supported no legal recognition for same sex couples, though a majority of evangelical Christians responded that way. Nor is it clear whether Perry’s attacks on the Obama administration’s repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals in the military will help him. One poll of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans found about three out of four were comfortable around gay service members, and the nation’s two most senior military officials during the debate over repeal — who had both served under President George W. Bush — backed the change in policy. But even if most voters do not have a problem with the issues Perry is focusing on, his approach might still succeed. Analysts say even a narrow issue — but one that gives some voters a reason to turn out for him — might improve his single-digit standing in most polls. “This might be his best shot — he needs something, right?” said J. Ann Selzer, an Iowa pollster.

Ten months ago, a controversy erupted when Father Jim St. George, an adjunct professor at Chestnut Hill College, in Pennsylvania, was fired by the school for being gay. At the time, college President Carol Jean Vale SSJ stated that, "While we welcome diversity, it is expected that all members of our College community, regardless of their personal beliefs, respect and uphold our Roman Catholic mission, character and values both in the classroom and in public statements that identify them with our school. For this reason, we chose not to offer an additional teaching contract to St. George." Much heated discussion ensued, and finally, Father Jim and the college agreed to respect each other's differences and went their separate ways. (Father Jim, pastor of St. Miriam parish, is a Catholic priest in the Antioch rite, which allows its priests to be male or female, straight or gay, married or single.) Last week, however, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer, the college quietly changed its "no gays allowed" policy at the small liberal arts college on the western edge of the city. According to a statement from the school, “Chestnut Hill College, founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, is committed to an active inclusive love of all people without distinction. Therefore, it is the policy of Chestnut Hill College that no person will be discriminated against by Chestnut Hill College in admission to or participation in any educational program and, moreover, no person will be discriminated against in employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, termination or forms of compensation or on any other terms of employment. Discrimination on any of the following basis is prohibited: race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, disability, or status as a veteran. Chestnut Hill College follows the June, 2011, Fair Practices Ordinance of the City of Philadelphia (9-1100) as well as other local, state, and federal laws." In an e-mail statement, Father Jim, said, "I am very grateful to hear of this new policy at Chestnut Hill. I can’t help but feel somewhat vindicated, but harbour no ill will. I wish them continued success as they continue to welcome all persons in the spirit of our Catholic heritage. I miss teaching and miss my students, but I am grateful to hear of this policy implementation." The preceding was posted at the end of the day Thursday, and Friday, asked to comment from Chestnut Hill College as to why the school amended its policy, Chestnut Hill College communications director Kathleen Spigelmyer in an e-mail response wrote: "It is a common practice of the College to update its policies so that they are current. Therefore, last week, the College updated its Non-Discrimination Policy to reflect June 2011 changes to the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance. The College remains committed to a policy that embraces diversity and prohibits discrimination in any form with respect to employment or its educational mission. The situation with Father Jim St. George was amicably resolved months ago and we have no further comment about it."

Jonah Mowry, the gay Lake Forest, California teen whose anti-bullying YouTube video went viral this week, has one star-studded fan in his corner: Lady Gaga. According to The Los Angeles Times, the pop singer tweeted her support for Mowry, who used flashcards in the video to reveal he was gay and to speak about the pain he suffered from being bullied. "Please everyone, take a moment to watch this. This is why I work so hard, this is why it’s wrong to hate," she tweeted, adding a link to Mowry's video. Lady Gaga has been vocal in the prevention of bullying. On Wednesday, she met with officials at the White House to offer her help with their anti-bullying campaign. Meanwhile, Mowry made an appearance on Good Morning America Friday with his family to talk about the ordeal. His video currently has more than 7.3 million hits. He said he is happier now and has been overwhelmed by the response. He said some of his classmates who had bullied him have since apologized and his principal reached out to offer support.

The NBA ratified a new ten-year collective bargaining agreement, thereby allowing training camps and the free agency period for the abbreviated 2011/12 season to begin Friday, December 9, the season scheduled to open December 25. NBA Commissioner David Stern said, I am pleased to announce that we have concluded the collective bargaining process and have reached an agreement that addresses many significant issues that were challenges to our league. This collective bargaining agreement will help us move toward a better business model, a more competitive league, and better alignment between compensation and performance.” Among the key agreement points, non-discrimination language was added into the agreement that protects players from discrimination, including based on sexual orientation.

Kris Humphries appeared on Good Morning America Friday alongside his mother Debra, and said that he is “moving forward” following the dreadful debacle that was his short-lived marriage to Kim Kardashian.

Ryan Kwanten – in board shorts - braves the chilly Pacific ocean off Los Angeles.