Charleston Gay Bingo is a fundraising event for Palmetto Community Care, which fights the AIDS/HIV…read moreepidemic locally and provides LGBTQ+ affirming primary care, STI testing, and counseling.
I've attended Gay Bingo three times (2017, 2018, and 2022). Each time, one of the most well-known drag queens in SC, Patti O'Furniture, has emceed the event.
Patti has been a drag queen for over 20 years, and if you haven't seen her perform, you must! When I was in college, she was performing in my local LGBTQ+ bar- the first drag show I attended. I'm glad she's helping raise funds and awareness still today.
Since the event has grown in recent years, it's moved from downtown to the North Charleston Colosseum. The new location is much larger, which lets more folks attend and lets folks spread out a bit. This venue had the stage in the middle of the arena, so everyone got a great view of the show. Drag Queens, BVDs (Bingo Verifying Divas), and folks in costume walk around and will pose for pictures with you.
At Gay Bingo, the winner is never a straight line, and the prizes are incredible. Hotel stays, gift cards for specialty restaurants downtown, concert tickets, a 50/50 raffle, and a free table for next year's event are some of the fun prizes. Your entry fee covers the first set of cards, and you can purchase more cards for more chances to win.
We played six bingo games, so each game's winner received a package of multiple prizes worth hundreds of dollars. I haven't been lucky enough to win, but everyone got a rainbow fan and lip gloss to remember the night. The takeaway program is also a nice keepsake with information about Palmetto Community Care, Avita Pharmacy, Truesdale Medical Center, sponsors, and more.
The 2022 event was the first since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic. I appreciated that proof of vaccination or negative test was required as well, especially since this event benefits a healthcare focused charity. The four bars served simple drinks that were easy to make quickly and kept us all "hydrated" so we didn't miss any bingo numbers.
Whether you win a prize or not, you'll leave Charleston Gay Bingo with great memories. Put it on your calendar next year, because it's a fun night out for adults of all generations, and you'll help a worthy cause.