Condom displays and live entertainment attracted more students in the quad than the usual food and info tables, hoping to raise AIDS awareness.

Wednesday marked the 11th Annual Multi-Cultural AIDS Awareness Day at SF State. The event was spearheaded by National Service Fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, with help from the AIDS Coordinator Committee, the biology department and numerous Associated Students Inc. organizations.

The displays, which encouraged protection and sexual health, were provided by biology professor Ann Auleb’s class.

“This is a really creative idea on promoting sexual health,” said 23-year-old business major Sidney Shaola while she chuckled at the displays. “What a positive event.”

The event provided on-lookers with numerous speakers on HIV prevention, free HIV testing, an entertainer who danced with torches and multi-cultural performances.

Political science major Zinia Gaugopadhyay, 20, and astronomy major Shareen Singh, 22, president and vice president of the Indian Students Association, sang India’s National Anthem and also danced to Hindu film music. It was the second year that the Indian Students Association performed at the AIDS Awareness Day event.

Along with the singing and dancing, a number of organizations came out to show support and offer additional useful information.

SF State’s Peer Counseling Organization passed out flyers.

“We’re just here to reach out to people with HIV and sex problems,” said peer counselor and psychology major Kristin Hunt, 22.

Ty Thompson took part in the event as a representative for Healing Waters, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco. The organization takes men, women and teenagers who are challenged with HIV and AIDS on wilderness and outdoor adventures such as river rafting and camping.

“I’m basically here to offer volunteer opportunities and to help others get out and play,” said Thompson.

As an incentive toward students to stop at each table, Alpha Phi Omega passed out tickets to be stamped by three different organizations. Once the ticket was stamped, it could be turned in for a slice of pizza.

“I’m here to learn and if there’s free pizza then that’s a bonus,” said 20-year-old anthropology major Ryan Sprinkle. “This is a great way to learn and they really make you earn that pizza.”

Alumni Matt Ong, a member of Alpha Phi Omega and advisor of the event, has been involved since 1999. Ong said the turn out has always been high and that’s a very positive thing. Like every year, Alpha Phi Omega’s main goal is to increase the awareness of HIV and AIDS and prevention of the disease.

“We just really want you to go away from this with the knowledge,” said Ong.