Action Wellness Announces Return of Black-Tie GayBINGO and 2025 Community Award

Action Wellness just announced the return of Black-Tie GayBINGO.! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 22nd starting at 6:30pm, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel’s Regency Ballroom (1200 Market Street).

Now in its 26th year, Black-Tie GayBINGO! rolls out the glitz and glamour  to raise significant funds for live-saving programs to help those with HIV disease. This year’s event holds special significance as AIDS Fund, the original creator of GayBINGO!, will be honored for over 35 years of leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS and for establishing one of Philadelphia’s most iconic fundraising events. After passing the torch in late 2024, Action Wellness now takes the helm, ensuring the legacy of GayBINGO! continues to thrive for years to come. For this year’s grand return, guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening with a welcome cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner, dancing, musical numbers, prizes, and of course, GayBINGO! hosted by Carlota Ttendant with Philadelphia’s famous BVDs (Bingo Verifying Divas). Tickets and sponsorship packages are on sale now at aidsfundphilly.org/gaybingo

“Black-Tie GayBINGO! is an event full of joy, affirmation and love,” said Action Wellness Executive Executive Director Mary Evelyn Torres. “It’s an opportunity to raise money and awareness about ending the HIV epidemic. This is our first year as an organization hosting the event and we are proud to honor AIDS Fund, an organization, like Action Wellness, that has done incredible work while positively impacting the lives of people with HIV over the last 30 years. Please join us for a night of dining, dancing and GayBINGO! with the incredible Bingo Verifying Divas.”

GayBINGO! is the fabulous, irreverent, campy and wildly popular monthly event that has been entertaining Philadelphia audiences for nearly 30 years. The “Best of Philly” award-winning event went on to host tens of thousands of people, attract sold out crowds, garner national attention, and raise millions of dollars.

AIDS Fund created the event in 1996 as a way to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS programs and services. Celebrating a different theme each month, hundreds of people would pack the hall for a night of good old-fashioned BINGO – but not your Mother’s BINGO! GayBINGO! is hosted by the infamous Bingo Verifying Divas (BVDs!) – a wild bunch of drag queens who entertain the crowd with their wacky humor and always outrageous costumes. During the night, look for unbridled fun with ridiculous musical numbers, hilarious drag queen antics and chances to win prizes.

In 1999, GayBINGO! organizers decided to up the drama and elevate the event with the first-ever Black-Tie GayBINGO! Volunteers were not sure what to expect, but the event was so well received that it has continued and gone on to now celebrate 26 years in 2025.

For this year’s big event, Black-Tie GayBINGO! will take over the elegant Regency Ballroom at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Center City. Come dressed to impress for the social event of the year.

Guests will enjoy a special cocktail reception, seated dinner with exclusive menu just for the event, music and dancing, and of course rounds of GayBINGO! The Bingo Verifying Divas will of course be on hand and please come ready with the compliments, as they will be looking more glamorous than ever! Two long-time fan favorites and GayBINGO! icons will be on hand to preside over the evening’s festivities. Carlota Ttendant will host the BINGO games, and Stella D’Oro will serve as hostess of the awards and program.

During the night, guests can help raise additional funds through a silent auction featuring gift cards, prizes and packages from local restaurants, hotels, music venues, museums and local small businesses.

Action Wellness will honor AIDS Fund with the 2025 Black-Tie GayBINGO! Community Award for their work in starting the event and for their work for the Philadelphia community. Former Executive Director Robb Reichard will accept on behalf of AIDS Fund, along with former staff and board members. In December 2024, AIDS Fund announced their decision to conclude operations.

“Founded at the height of the AIDS epidemic, AIDS Fund had been a steadfast force in addressing the challenges of HIV,” said Torres. “After 35 years of dedicated service, AIDS Fund concluded operations in December of 2024. This marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in the fight against HIV in Philadelphia – a chapter defined by resilience, compassion and community driven progress. Their work has been instrumental in raising awareness, supporting individuals and families, and funding critical services during times of crisis.”

She added, “At Action Wellness, we are both humbled and honored to continue a part of AIDS Fund’s incredible legacy by taking over the production of GayBINGO!, a beloved tradition that has brought joy and laughter to our community while raising vital funds to combat HIV. We are committed to preserving the magic of GayBINGO! and ensuring it continues to be a space for celebration, community, and meaningful impact. Together, we can ensure that their vision of a world without HIV is carried forward with the same determination and heart. Join us in honoring AIDS Fund and paying tribute to their important work.”

GayBINGO! and Black-Tie GayBINGO! have raised over $4M to date and counting. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.