Five observations from the big, sequined return of Gay Bingo
By Joanne Spataro
Gay Bingo made its big, sequined return on Saturday night – or should I say, a big, possibly sequined fall down the stairs.
After a five-year hiatus, the beloved fundraiser for the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) returned to the Grady Cole Center with the theme of the ABC series “How to Get Away with Murder.” The sold-out crowd of 1,750 people was treated to a mystery: Which boa-clad drag queen pushed former emcee Shelita Hamm down the stairs?
Here’s what happened – and the result of the whodunit.
(1) There are no straight lines in Gay Bingo.
The event’s motto is clear: “A straight line never wins, but straight people are always welcome!” The evening’s bingo booklet showed the shapes you needed to win each round: The scales of justice, Shelita’s glasses, a strand of pearls, a set of stairs, a feather boa, an umbrella, a high heel and a trophy.
(2) The letters and numbers have more than one meaning.
It’s not all dabbing your numbers with colorful ink. Gay Bingo requires much more participation. A B3 means everyone has to shout the emcee’s name, “Barbara Burning Bush!” For a B7, everyone bangs on the table (with their hands; what were YOU thinking?).
Finally, everyone’s favorite: O69. Because, well, it just feels good.
(3) Emcee Barbara Burning Bush takes care of business.
There was a string of premature bingos during game two, and Barbara was not having it. After the BVDs (Bingo Verifying Divas) deemed someone’s bingo not a bingo at all, Barbara confronted the player and ripped up her sheet in the nicest way possible.
Of course it’s all in jest, remembering the Gay Bingo Oath we had to recite at the beginning of the game: “I solemnly swear to remember that I am here to raise money for RAIN and the fight against HIV. I further swear that I realize BINGO is just a stupid game and will keep fighting until there are no new cases.”
(4) Shelita Hamm made an appearance – sort of.
The first host of Gay Bingo may have officially retired in 2010, but she was there in spirit. Or bandages while holding a Starbucks cup.
Drag queen Buff Faye played nurse and rolled her around for people to take selfies with her, showing she could take a tumble.
(Probably obvious note: This was not actually Shelita Hamm. She was in NYC on Saturday.)
(5) It was all for a good cause – and will be back next year.
The return of Gay Bingo raked in about $85,000 for RAIN. The nonprofit provides the tools to help prevent HIV and care for youth, adults and seniors living with HIV. Each month, more than 113 HIV-positive people receive services from RAIN. All proceeds from Gay Bingo fund their services, including medical case management, emergency assistance and counseling.
Oh, and was Shelita’s assailant discovered? By popular vote on cards, Barbara Burning Bush was found to be the culprit. And – spoiler alert – she got away with it.
