Events: Gay BINGO

Gay BINGO made a triumphant return in 2010, and it was bigger than ever. Megaphone in hand, Miss Shelita Hamm presided over Glee BINGO -- the largest bingo extravaganza ever -- Nov. 12-13 at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte.

What started 10 years ago in the basement of the Great Aunt Stella Center has grown incredibly, along the way raising awareness and more than $900,000 for RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network). While the crowds for this volunteer-run event have gotten bigger, a few things remain the same: It’s a night of crazy fun, outrageous costumes, song, dance and the most unconventional game of bingo you’ll ever play.

This year’s event entertained and educated Gay BINGO’s largest crowd ever: 3,600 people over two nights.

RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network), founded in 1992, engages the community to transform lives and promote respect and dignity for all people touched by the AIDS crisis through compassionate care, education and leadership development.

Media coverage included: Creative Loafing, SouthPark Magazine, Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Magazine, Fox News Edge, WCNC Channel 36