Presentation honors Day of Silence
By Ashlei Maltman
IV Leader Staff, May 3, 2007
“Homosexuals as Enemies of the State: Nazi Germany,
‘Family Values,’ and the War on Terror,” was presented on April 18 in honor of
the Day of Silence, a day to draw attention to violence against lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people.
Jason Beyer, philosophy instructor and host of the event,
said, “The Day of Silence should serve as a warning for us as to how quickly
things can still change.”
Currently, Beyer said, the top four hate crimes since 2005
are against African Americans, whites targeted by ethnic minorities, Jews and
gay men. Even after 9/11, crimes against homosexuals are still higher than those
against Muslims.
In Nazi Germany during World War II, a male could recieve six
months to a year in prison just for kissing someone of the same sex. Homosexuals
were one of the largest targeted groups then and are still today. Homosexual
survival rate in concentration camps was low because of the discrimination
against them in the camps.
Shauna Casolari said, “I think Jason did a great job
explaining the ideology of the Nazis on homosexuality and tying it into today’s
lack of full acceptance and equal rights in the United States.”