Lowcountry AIDS Services is bringing a marquee fundraising event back to the Lowcountry in August. Gay Bingo will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Memminger Auditorium. This evening of fun and frivolity will pair with an important message: the HIV/AIDS epidemic is still affecting many in our community, LGBT and straight alike. 

Gay Bingo will be a signature event on the calendar for 2016 Charleston Pride, a week of special events Aug. 6-14. 

LAS last presented Gay Bingo in 2001 – 15 years ago. At that time, it was known as Bubba Bingo to honor legendary Atlanta drag queen, Bubba D. Licious, who was featured as the event emcee. The organization decided the time was right to resurrect this unique event as a fundraiser for the agency. 

Gay Bingo, where the winner is never a straight line and everyone has a ball, will feature local personalities and guests. This year’s hostess is Patti O’Furniture, the “Camp Queen of the Carolinas,” who performs regularly at Dudley’s on Ann in downtown Charleston. 

“We know Gay Bingo is going to be a truly fun evening and a wonderful fundraiser for our agency,” said Bradley Childs, LAS executive director. “But just as important, we see this event as an exercise in awareness, tolerance and advocacy for our entire Lowcountry community. We want people to pause and realize the very real HIV epidemic sweeping our community and how they can join in our fight.” 

Early general admission tickets are $20 through June 30; then $25 for advance general admission tickets. Reserved tables, VIP tickets, host committee tables and sponsorship are all available. For more information on tickets, sponsorship and event details, visit www.charlestongaybingo.org or call or email Jason Kirk, director of development, at 843-747-2273, ext. 216 or jkirk@aids-services.com. 

The theme for the evening is “That ‘70s Bingo: It’s Not Your Grandma’s Game!” and costumes are encouraged. The evening will include special lip sync performances by Patti O’Furniture, six games of bingo with fabulous prize packages for winners, a raffle, special guests, local beer, food trucks and more fun than any other game of bingo in town. 

About Lowcountry AIDS Services 
Lowcountry AIDS Services is nonprofit organization serving men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. LAS provides case management, access to medical care, housing assistance, financial assistance, nutritional assistance and legal assistance along with an array of other supportive services to hundreds in the Charleston area. LAS also works to prevent this epidemic through education, media campaigns, community outreach and free, daily HIV/STD testing. For more information, visit aids-services.com.