UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.

Though classes for many had ended hours earlier, over 100 people filed back into the Thomas Auditorium on Thursday night for a special event: Penn State alum Ryan Buells speech on Faith, Spirituality, Sexuality and the Unknown. Buell, founder of Penn States Paranormal Research Society and accidental star of A&Es series Paranormal State, recently revealed that he is bisexual, which attracted a lot of attention from tabloids and fans. You might find it odd that Im talking about faith, spirituality and sexuality when Im the Ghost Guy, said Buell. My background is a little strange, but I believe it all plays an important role. Buells speech focused on how he balanced his Catholic upbringing and search for God with his understanding of his sexuality while investigating the paranormal. When I investigate the paranormal, in a way Im looking for God, said Buell. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, whether or not youre LGBT or straight is irrelevant. You can look at the paranormal as a metaphor. Buell continued, explaining that he came to view both his search for the supernatural ad his search for his sexual identity as similar ventures into the unknown. He also explained the two were similar in how they affected his life. When he was young, Buell said, his parents didnt like to hear anything about the paranormal or sexual preference. That was symbolic, Buell said. I was trapped, I was alone. I had no one to speak to. Members of the audience were riveted between video accounts of Buells encounters with the supernatural and finding his identity. I thought it was very thought-provoking and meaningful, said McKinley Brown, a junior studying online at Full Sail University. I first came because I was accompanying a friend, but I would definitely come back. Buell spoke for several hours before closing to a question and answer portion with enthusiastic applause. Carmen Frost, the College of Communications Multicultural Affairs Coordinator, said in reference to Buell He is a pioneer, a visionary, an explorer, and an inspirational hero.