Lipstick, eyeliner, a bit of mascara, and a 5 o’clock shadow.
This can mean only one of two things: either it’s another late night in the [X]press offices, or it’s that time again for the annual “7-inch heels and a microphone” show put on by the Queer Alliance.
The acts -- ranging from a group song and dance routine to a performance by local celebrity/ventriloquist Lane Douglas and his ever foul-mouthed wooden partner Magnolia Peckerwood -- left the sold-out Little Theatre crowd in awe.
While the crowd was dazzled by performances, the real reason everyone attended was to raise money for the AIDS fund, which pays medical expenses for SF State students and faculty living with AIDS.
“The whole point of this show is to come out and support our fellow students and faculty, who despite obstacles continue to make this campus a great place,” said Courtney Hosmon, the event coordinator for the show. From the show, Queer Alliance was able to raise $1,126 -- with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the AIDS fund.
“This is a great event. I come every year,” said John Alire, 51, “When I was young, there were no places for gay youths to be involved and to be proud of who we are. Now things have changed, and I’m glad to see it.”
The performers rushed to get ready, as the anxious crowd waited far longer than the scheduled 7 p.m. show time.
“Anyone have eyeliner?” asked a desperate SF State senior Quan Le, as he put on his size 11 high heel pumps and short black mini-skirt. Others in the dressing room made finishing touches to their wardrobe and hair, while other performers looked themselves over in the large vanity mirrors.
“Maybe I should have shaved my legs,” said one performer as he hiked up his thigh-high stockings.
Finally, the show got underway, with the dazzling and sexy host Mistress Morgana riling up the crowd with her flirtatious and provocative jokes.
The crowd hissed at the first act, a fake President Bush walking onto the stage with his 2004 State of the Union address blaring in the background. The mood soon switched as the fake Bush ended up with a “Terrorist” sticker on his head and being hogtied by a judge who finds him guilty of crimes against humanity.
The two performers, Tanner Johnson and Mel Corn, wanted to make the point of Bush’s intolerance to not only the queer community but also the world community.
“We wanted to make it known that while we are fighting terrorism in another country, we have a terrorist running our government. He has been a terrorist for the world and gay community,” said Johnson, who played the spoofed Bush.
The Little Theatre crowd also was graced by the appearance and performance of Suppositori Spelling, who was Miss Tranny Shack 2002, a prestigious honor for being the best drag queen of the year. Throwing his long jet-black wig into the crowd, Spelling strutted and dived to the floor in his rendition of “I want you to die,” by The Balls.
But the biggest applause was saved for SF State’s own Queer Alliance dance troupe, which preformed a choreographed dance to the music of Salt N’ Pepper’s, “Body Beautiful,” Missy Elliot’s, “Work It” and ending with Christina Aguilera’s, “Let’s get Dirrty.” And yes, that with two R’s.
“We worked hard on this, and we need it to be better than last year,” said Rachel Rubin, 19, who is part of Queer Alliance. Rubin speaks of last year’s performance which was marred by the previous coordinator embezzling all the money earned by the show, including the funds going to SF State faculty and students living with AIDS.
