Sold out Gay Bingo raises $90,000+ for R.A.I.N.

Posted on 24 Oct 2008 by Jonathan Winn

Hostess Shelita driving her Bingo Verifying Diva

One of the Charlotte LGBT community’s infamous fundraisers, Gay Bingo, returned on Saturday, October 18 with a sold out show at the Grady Cole Center. The 2150-person event raised $90,000+ for the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network.

Hosted by the lovely Shelita Hamm and her cast of misfit BVD’s (Bingo Verifying Divas), the ‘Sex in the City’ themed event included performances, giveaways and special rules just for Gay Bingo. For example, each time O-69 is called, everyone must stand up, throw their hands above their heads and shout “O-69!” Those who sat still risked receiving the wrath of Shelita, which included placing you alone in a telephone booth located at the front of the stage.

Since the first event, Big Hair Bingo, in February 2000, Gay Bingo has raised more than $500,000 and attendance has grown from the 100– person maximum at the Stella Center to sell-out crowds of over 1,000 for each event. Sponsors include generous individuals as well as key Charlotte businesses, such as 107.9 The Link who is the presenting sponsor.

Click here for more info on Gay Bingo and here for Regional AIDS Interfaith Network.