Correction appended

The Faith Baptist Church of Altoona sent petitions to hundreds of churches of all denominations across the state yesterday asking them to oppose a same-sex commitment ceremony set to take place at Penn State next month.

The ceremony will be held March 29 at the HUB-Robeson Center. State College Mayor Bill Welch, who said he supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community and its allies (LGBTA), will preside over the event. It is the first event of LGBTA's Pride Week.

"I'd have no problem performing same-sex marriages, but it's not legal," Welch said.

Faith Baptist Church Rev. Gary Dull said yesterday's petitions are the first step in the campaign against the event.

Tom Koerber (graduate-biochemistry and molecular biology), president of Penn State's Coalition of LGBTA graduate students, said he is not surprised the church opposes the event.

"When we plan any event, there's always someone who's going to disagree, so this isn't a surprise, but because it's not a civil union and there's no church involvement in the ceremony, it is a little surprising," Koerber said. "It's just about a couple's commitment, so it's a little surprise they are anti-love."

Six couples -- three gay and three lesbian -- will participate in the ceremony. They are students, faculty and community members, Koerber said.

"We wanted it to be ... [a] nontraditional educational event instead of having a speaker talk to people about this," he said. "What better way to show the love and devotion?"

Dull said the concern he has with the ceremony is the message it projects.

"What they are doing is sending a message that homosexual marriages are correct or normal," Dull said. "It's one step towards getting our state to trying to legalize this kind of relationship. They have a larger gay agenda."

Welch said he has been contacted by church members and State College residents, but he has no intention to back out.

"I only know of one church [in opposition], and I think all of the members have called me. They're from Blair and Huntington County. They have suggested I'll have a hard road in the afterlife. They say it's against God," he said.

Welch said the majority of the State College community seems to be in support of the ceremony.

Dull said the church might rally outside the HUB during the ceremony and partner with the National Clergy Council in Washington, D.C.

Koerber said he has realized the possibility of a protest during the ceremony.

"They only have power if we give it that power. Even if there are protesters outside, I think the event will still go on," Koerber said. "We hope the support we have from the community will combat any negative reactions."

Penn State College Republicans Vice President Jack Vickrey said he is not against the ceremony but that it would not make the relationship more legitimate like a marriage license would.

"To be honest, I don't represent all Republicans, but I say that a life partner commitment doesn't go against my beliefs," Vickrey said.

Students like Abbey Farkas (freshman-film) have said they are glad Welch supports the LGBTA community.

"I think its great, but it's sort of sad that a lot of states that are considered liberal don't allow civil unions," Farkas said.

The ceremony is not funded by the state; it is funded by private donors such as the on-campus Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (CERA), said Beth Clark, CERA assistant director.

"Same-sex couples are not allowed to have a legal marriage, but this could allow people to live their lives and be happy with whoever they love," said Clark. "Who are we to judge?"

Penn State President Graham Spanier was asked on Tuesday about the ceremony at the House Appropriations Committee hearing in Harrisburg.

"There are about 700 student organizations on campus, and they don't all check in with me before they plan events," Spanier said.

This article incorrectly attributes a quote. Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (CERA) Assistant Director Beth Bradley said, "Same-sex couples are not allowed to have a legal marriage, but this could allow people to live their lives and be happy with whoever they love. Who are we to judge?" She also said one of the private donors for the ceremony will be CERA.