Members of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance protested James Whitehead's candidacy for the Undergraduate Student Government President at last night's presidential/vice presidential debate.

"If he was elected, it would demonstrate how little the University has done for minorities," said Mich Wong-Chong, an LGSA member. "He expressed committing genocide against over 10 percent of the population."

Whitehead, who last spring sent the message "Why should one kill homosexuals?" across nationwide computer phonelines, registered to run for USG president last Thursday.

Members of LGSA stood in a stairwell next to 10 Sparks Building holding signs saying, "Thou Shalt Not Kill (Even Homosexuals)," "Over 300,000 Homosexuals Killed by Nazis" and "Silence equals Death, Ignorance equals Fear, All of the Above equals Jame Whitehead."

Members also handed out flyers containing Whitehead's computer message with words underlined such as killing, murder, and exterminated. The flyers also contained a letter to the editor of The Daily Collegian from Whitehead and a quote in which Whitehead says homosexuality is wrong, but he is not violently opposed to it.

Whitehead found humor in the protest.

"It's entertaining. It's humorous," he said. "I'm sure once I'm elected there won't be any problems. If I win that means people support me."

Whitehead said he opposes sexual orientation in the University Discrimination Policy because he said homosexuality is morally wrong.

Vice Presidential Candidate Jerry Winner said he was upset at the way others were treating them.

"We are being slandered," Winner said. "It's a bunch of mud slinging. Having these things handed out from over a year ago and underlining words is coloring what he said. He really is a decent guy. He can change. You're just bringing up the past," he said.

Members of LGSA said they were not worried about Whitehead winning.

"I highly doubt he will ever get elected," said newly-elected LGSA Social Education Co-director Jeff Kemp. "I think the University community is intelligent enough to remember what he said. We are here to remind them."

Newly elected LGSA Co-director Mike LaFlam said it is important for the survival of lesbians and gays to take a stance on views like Whitehead's.

"If we stay silent it is to say it is OK for them to think that way," he said.

"Before he wrote himself in, I had to worry whether candidates would protect gay people," LaFlam said. "Now we have to worry about being harassed by the candidates."