The sixth annual ‘7-Inch Heels and a Microphone’ variety show brought drag queens, stand up comedians, and punk rockers together to raise money for the Queer Alliance and the Cindy Kolb AIDS Foundation, which provides additional college funds to SF State students with HIV.

The annual fundraiser has had serious glitches in the past. The proceeds from the show were stolen in 2003 and 2005. This didn’t dissuade students from coming and co-sponsors CEASE and EROS from making this year’s fundraiser a success.

“I’m just doing my part,” said volunteer Gary Villalobos, a creative writing senior. He sold tickets for the sex toy and porn raffle that took place at the end of the show. Villalobos was rewarded with a pair of “hot cookie” underwear and a phallic sucker given by a raffle winner.

Edie Sanchez, a graduating psychology major, was collecting donations and serving “mocktails”, non-alcoholic drinks with tiny umbrellas. A student coordinator with CEASE, she said they were there to promote responsible partying.

“It’s not a bad thing as long as you’re being safe,” Sanchez said. “We’re not anti-drinking.”

Vi Le, the secretary and treasurer for the Queer Alliance, was one of the stars of the show, who appeared in drag under the name CoCoa Laguna and sang a few songs while dressed as a male crooner.

The master of ceremonies was Mistress Morgana, a local burlesque performer who has volunteered to host this event for the last few years.

“I enjoy giving until it hurts—you,” said Mistress Morgana as she demonstrated the safe way to strap one’s buttocks with a studded belt.

The night opened with some obscene but funny prose readings from Kirk Read and comic performer Bucky Sinister. A band of four SF State students, A Street Car Named Shut the Fuck Up! performed together for the first time.

“We’re still a little wet behind the ears,” said Ryan O’Connell, a 19 year-old creative writing major. That didn’t stop them from having fun.

“That’s what our band is all about, rhythm and talent is out the window,” said fashion major Andrea Hinojosa, also 19.

Performers and audience members socialized in front of the stage, and danced to some of the livelier acts.

This year they raised about $500. “It went pretty well,” said Nija Mashruwala, a computer science major who worked with the stage crew. “There was a ton of high energy high intensity atmosphere backstage.”

Mashruwala said that since someone stole their safe from their student center office last year, they have now decided to deposit the funds in a bank account.