"Gay Bingo"

[Karl-G]

PBS broadcast an hour's program entitled "Gay Bingo" last night. I was surfing and stopped briefly, then watched all the rest. Anyone else see it or know of it?

 

In Philadelphia for several years now, gays have been raising money to give to those actually suffering from AIDS by having special bingo parties every month. Both gays and straights come in large numbers, and drag queens play a role in enlivening the activities. Parents of those who have died of AIDS and friends of people with AIDS attend both to donate money and also to relax and have an enjoyable evening.

 

It looked like a lot of fun.

[+ nycman]

RE:

 

I went several times to the Philly Gay Bingo nights around 4-5 years ago. It was always a fun night. Old, young, suburban, urban, leather daddies, muscle marys, gay, lesbian, straight, it was one of the most “well mixed” groups I have ever seen. It was nice break from the Philly bar routine and a good non-threatening environment to mix with some very nice straight people. I’ll warn you though, it's impossible to keep up the butch routine and scream "BINGO!" at the same time.

 

Highlights include everyone moaning “O-69” and the drag queens on roller blades checking all the winning cards. “Bubbles”, a drag queen with a beehive hairdo, dressed only in bubble wrap, twirling around on roller blades, was my personal favorite.

 

I always thought it would catch on in other cities but I've never seen it anywhere else.

[+ deej]

RE:

 

<<I always thought it would catch on in other cities but I've never seen it anywhere else. >>

 

Come to Chicago, babe. It's a weekly staple.

 

And it's exactly as you described: a totally mixed crowd and great fun. You'll see old Jewish widows and old Polish widowers mixing it up with the drag queens, gay boys, and lesbians and everyone just plain having fun. It's one of the most diverse crowds you'll see, actually.

 

And, oh yes! O69 is a BIG call! ;-)

[jacobno]

RE:

 

We have drag bingo every thursday and friday here in New Orleans at Oz. Bianca Del Rio dressed in a skirt that matches the table cloth and bingo ball earrings calls out numbers and reads the people who call bingo under false pretences.

[Bastian]

RE: Re-broadcast

 

For those interested in this event, the re-broadcast of the documentary 'Gay Bingo' will be at 10PM on WLVT locally in Philadelphia tonight, June 12. Although the event has experienced recent controversy with the resignation of the long term hosts, it will more than likely remain an excellent event. The date of Campground GayBingo is June 15, and I think there are still balcony seats available. It's a fun, no pressure way to show support and to raise awareness for PWAs and the AIDS fund.

 

Bastian