Members of the gay and lesbian community and their allies are making a point about the treatment of homosexuals in society today — by not saying anything at all.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Alliance at Iowa State is one of more than 200 schools participating in the National Day of Silence.

Participants will take a nine-hour vow of silence to protest the oppression of LGBT people. They also will hand out cards that explain why they have chosen to take part in the silent protest.

Dennis Macdonald, member of LGBTAA, will participate in the National Day of Silence for the second year in a row. He said it has “a lot to do with awareness.”

Macdonald, sophomore in art and design, said the silent protest usually is well received by his professors and friends.

“It might seem insignificant to some or might seem like flaunting to others,” he said, “but it helps to eliminate apathy.”

LGBTAA member Scott Reichmann also plans to join in the silent protest.

Reichmann agreed that the event raises awareness.

“In my experience, people just don’t know we exist, and once they do … we do just fine,” he said.

He said silent protests give people a “tangible” way to look at important issues, such as combating heterosexist behavior.

“People look at me and probably don’t realize that I’m gay,” he said, noting that being asked if he “has a girlfriend” almost can be as hurtful as outright homophobia.

Roger Jacobson, adviser to Spectrum, Ames High School’s LGBT and ally organization, said Spectrum members also are participating in National Day of Silence.

Jacobson said this event will “help people be aware of the fact that there is a problem.”

The group is asking for participants to remain silent throughout the school day and convene at 3 p.m. to discuss the day.

Spectrum is expecting about 50 students to partake in the National Day of Silence.

“There might be some harassment, but we’re hoping that doesn’t occur this year,” he said.

Gina Russell, junior at Ames High, founded Spectrum as a freshman and currently is serving as the co-president.

Russell said she hopes this year’s protest will have a positive outcome.

“[Last year], the power of silence hadn’t ever hit me until I started to speak again,” she said. “To see people who care enough to spend the day in silence and to see it all come together in the end was really powerful.”