Four local homosexual couples came together Friday and discussed plans for what is supposed to be the biggest day of their lives.

The couples -- two of which are lesbian and two are gay -- spoke this weekend of their excitement to release their names and to participate in Saturday's Pride Commitment Ceremony.

The lesbian couples are Kat Sinclair (graduate-human development and family studies) and Delia Guzman (senior-crime, law and justice), along with Donna Coffman, a Penn State research associate, and Amanda Applegate.

The gay couples are James Collins (graduate-materials science and engineering) and his partner Ryan Fitzpatrick, along with Paul Datti (graduate-counselor education) and Frank Vasquez.

The couples collectively said they were not worried about releasing their names despite public opposition, which is expected to result in a protest headed by the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona at Old Main during the ceremony.

"The press recently has focused on the opposition to the ceremony, and we're thankful for their getting the word out, but really the focus is really on the love of these individuals," said Tom Koerber, Coalition of LGBTA Graduate Students president .

The Coalition of LGBTA Graduate Students will host the commitment ceremony in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Datti and Vasquez said they have participated in a commitment ceremony in the past.

"I think you have a certain responsibility to your community, and that is to be proud of who you are and make a difference in your community. We had our ceremony eight and a half years ago ... but we were so in love then as we are now and we wanted to have a ceremony like everybody else does ... And we changed some minds that day," Vasquez said.

The couples, each of whom held hands, all sat at the press conference and spoke of the immense support they have received from their friends, families and co-workers.

While most of the couples said they are motivated by love to participate in the ceremony, Sinclair and Guzman said they are also politically driven to participate.

"When we found out there were going to be protestors, I know I was probably happier than before I found out," Guzman said.

To prepare for the commitment ceremony, Silent Witness of Central PA (SWPA) held a training session for volunteers on Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County.

SWPA Executive Director Alanna Berger and Director of Operations Blaise Liffick said SWPA volunteers would act as non-violent, non-confrontational buffers between the participants and guests, and the expected protestors from the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona.

Berger said SWPA, known for carrying rainbow umbrellas, has been keeping the peace at LGBTA events across Pennsylvania since 2005.

Berger recalled the worst day of her life, when she silently stood face-to-face with protestors who she said were screaming derogatory comments to participants at a past pride event.

"I'm straight, and I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be gay and hear that kind of hate speech," she said.

Berger said the main purpose of the about 70 SWPA volunteers will be to escort guests and participants to the commitment ceremony and to provide a sense of safety to all involved.

Many Penn State students, staff members and State College community members became SWPA volunteers to support the couples involved in the ceremony.

"My brother is actually gay," SWPA volunteer Stephanie Chapman (senior-human development and family studies) said, "so I'm here to support him in general and represent the entire Penn State student body."