More than 100 students gathered in Jack Adams Hall to watch members of the Queer Alliance flaunt their stuff to Christmas jingles in a comedic and exotic variety show titled “Deck the halls with Feather Boas.”
Dressed in drag, Queer Alliance members performed songs such as “Lady Marmalade,” songs from the soundtrack of “Chicago,” and holiday classics such as “Santa Baby” to a packed audience. The night was eventful with more than 13 performances and some of the most outrageously sexy, erotic outfits imaginable. It was “Rocky Horror Picture Show” meets Exotic Erotic Ball with a holiday twist. Entry was $5 for SF State students, and the doors opened at 5:30 p.m.
Vi Le, 20, has been a member of the Queer Alliance for three years. Le is the secretary, chief financial officer, and vice director of the Queer Alliance. Le said he joined the Queer Alliance because he wanted an outlet where he could express himself freely, and QA was it.
“I believe that queer alliance is really important because we give people who are afraid to be themselves a place to feel safe, to be themselves,” said Le, a bio-chemical major. "As an organization we are really social and friendly, and we just accept people for who they are. People should come out to support difference, and their fellow classmates.”
Le starred in a solo performance titled “Miss CoCoa Laguna,” singing “Santa Baby,” by Eartha Kitt. Prancing along the stage seductively wearing a short, skintight black skirt, silver tube top, and high heels, Le maneuvered his way through the audience, posing erotically, and pausing briefly to sit on one audience member’s lap. Le also choreographed the entire show, performed in at least five skits, and designed the outfits worn in the fashion show “Esmami Boutique and Vile Collection.”
“I basically run the show,” Le said.
SF State student Nicole Isakson, 26, said she came out to support the Queer Alliance and also helped set up tables as a volunteer with EROS (Education Referral Organization on Sexuality) at SF State. Isakson said it is important that the SF State community come out to support the Queer Alliance and other student organizations that emphasize tolerance.
“I love the show, it was great,” said Isakson, a communications major with a minor in human sexuality. “I loved the energy, the excitement. I think it’s important to support diversity and gay individuals.”
Members of the Queer Alliance have been preparing for “Deck the Halls with Feather Boas” since the beginning of the semester. According to Le, Queer Alliance has been a campus organization for more than 30 years. Its mission is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for people questioning their sexual orientation or.
Wearing a wig, black bra, red fish net stockings, a men’s black thong, and high-heeled lace-up boots, QA internal outreach coordinator Bryan Makinano, 27, flaunted his stuff to “Lady Marmalade,” one of the five performances of the night for Makinano who has been a Queer Alliance member for the past year and a half. Makinano said that while promoting the event he had several fliers thrown at him.
“We’re such a hated people,” said Makinano, a psychology major.
“I think, as being out and comfortable with myself, its part of my personal job to get the image out that we are not bad people, we’re just trying to have fun,” Makinano said. “It’s unfortunate that people like that can’t lower their ignorance to come check us out.”
Victoria Rodriguez, 20, came out to support friends who are members of the Queer Alliance.
“It’s pretty funny actually, and they seem like they just have a lot of fun,” said Rodriquez, an international business major. “I really enjoyed the ‘Lady Marmalade’ performance. It’s just a good social environment, and a way to get to know fellow students.”