By: Casey Rocheteau/TRT Reporter
Hosted by the inimitable Ms. Kitty Litter, Gay Bingo is something of a monthly theme party to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State. Stephen Hartley, director of development for the organization, raves that “this is not your grandmother’s bingo at all.” Bringing both hilarity and vulgarity, Kitty and Haley (the official ball-puller for Gay Bingo) draw in a full crowd anticipating their antics every month, adding a wonderful flourish to a usually dull game of numbers.
The first Gay Bingo was started in December of 1997 with Chris Butler, who was executive director at AIDS Project R.I. Hartley was one of the MCs at the first Gay Bingo, and is now the star of the show as Ms. Litter, Hartley’s drag persona. Almost 14 years later, people are so invested that they will come and decorate their tables according to the theme. The theme for Oct. 20 will be “Rocky Horror,” just in time for Halloween. If you’ve been waiting to try out your best Magenta or Riff-Raff costume, you might even just win a prize.
As if the prospect of monthly $2,000 giveaways in cash and prizes isn’t enough, Gay Bingo is also a much needed fundraiser. All of proceeds go to a variety of places including direct client services at AIDS Care OS, those living with HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island, AIDS Project R.I., as well as prevention and outreach to stop the spread of HIV. AIDS Care OS provides safe-sex kits and is currently running a Know Your Status campaign, which encourages regular testing.
While today’s younger generation did not have to go through the epidemic, seeing many of their friends die painfully, HIV/AIDS continues to be a major health risk, which is why Gay Bingo is so vital. Although there are new medications on the market allowing people with HIV/AIDS to live longer, it is still important to spread information about prevention and take care of those living with the virus or syndrome. Helping those in need, promoting safe sex to the masses, and providing a fun opportunity to mingle with the community, Gay Bingo is a fabulous way to spend a Thursday evening. As Mr. Hartley says, “You will never see this mix of people again in any place, but everyone is there for one reason: to have fun and raise lots of money for people in need.”
