Gay and Christian.

To many, the two words don't mesh. But there is a group of gay, lesbian and bisexual students who meet weekly for fellowship and Bible studies.

The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Christian Fellowship began last fall under the name "Queers for Christ" when Debbie Wyttenbach decided that Penn State needed a ministry for gay people.

"I didn't feel accepted in any of the other Christian ministries," said Wyttenbach (senior-elementary education). "There was a need for me as a Christian to learn about God and to be able to be myself."

Wyttenbach and a few other students began meeting to study and discuss the Bible. In late October they requested a pastor from United Ministries. Rev. Ann Lutterman, a new minister on campus, agreed to be an adviser to the group of about 15 members.

"I think it was such a neat thing," Wyttenbach said. "She really gave the group direction."

The fellowship, open to students from any denomination, begins with prayer and singing. In the next hour or so, they study scripture and address questions. Many times different interpretations of what the Bible has to say about gay people are discussed.

"It was about time that someone started to minister to the gay people on this campus," said Mark L. Pelusi (junior-theatre arts). "I really needed a spiritual outlet."

Members have said they enjoy the environment of tolerance because they can be open about the issues without worrying about an attack on their sexual orientation.

"It's a non-judgmental atmosphere where people understand that anyone can be a Christian," Pelusi said. "People don't accept us on this campus because people don't understand how someone can be gay and a Christian."

Lutterman said she is open to the issues and decided that it is important to allow gay, lesbian and bisexual students to have Christian fellowship without harassment.

"To ignore the issue doesn't help, there are homosexuals in our churches -- closeted or not," Lutterman said. "Christ ministered to a lot of people and we should do that."

Jim Kreiger, campus minister of the University's Catholic Center, said it is up to the individual to decide whether a group satisfies his or her needs.

"No person is an island," said Krieger, who is of the Order of St. Benedict. "We all need those kind of support groups and the church cannot not bury its head."

Wyttenbach said she loves the meetings because it bolsters her self-esteem.

"You hear from society that you're wrong and it's so neat to be in that group because it reinforces my faith," Wyttenbach said. "God loves me and he loves who I am."

Although she said she hopes the entire ministry is open to the idea of a group for gay fellowship, Lutterman said she realizes that it's not and hopes members of the group are not hassled because of it.

"I hope the group doesn't come under much harassment," she said. "We've gotten a handful of negative responses but the positive responses have far outweighed the negative responses."

But some people within the campus ministries have different opinions about gay people and their rights as Christians.

Dennis Mitchell, adviser of the Penn State Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, said he thinks members of the group are trying to promote their way of life.

"It's detrimental," Mitchell said. "The Bible teaches that you can't be in fellowship with God and be a practicing homosexual."