Bingo!

NEWS > LIFESTYLES PROFILE

Charity Johnson interprets sign language at a unique event that raises funds for AIDS services.

By Ruth Rovner

Add Comment | Comments: 3 | Posted Mar. 5, 2009

Staff photos by Greg Bezanis

Charity Johnson leads a busy life as an interpreter of American Sign Language (ASL). She works full-time at Germantown's Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and takes on freelance assignments. But this resident of the 1200 block of Shunk Street always finds time for one more volunteer activity -- an interpreter for the deaf at Gay Bingo.

Despite its name, the evening of fun is open to all. It's indeed novel when someone calls "bingo!" and drag queens on roller skates glide over to the table to verify the winner. Their nickname BVDs -- Bingo Verifying Divas -- is in keeping with the campy humor of this popular monthly event at the Gershman Y, Broad and Pine streets.

When Johnson attended her first one in 2002, she was a student at Community College of Philadelphia, having heard about the event from a fellow student. Since she was required to observe sign language interpreting in different settings, she decided to attend and watch the two interpreters.

"It was overwhelming," she said. "I'd never seen anything like this."

As they stood in front of the large crowd, the volunteers signed during the 12 games and kept up with the banter that's part of the evening. For instance, the host -- a drag queen --teased an interpreter by asking him to show the audience the sign for something risqué.

"I watched all this and I thought, 'I could never do this,'" she said.

But Johnson underestimated herself. A year later, she was on that same stage, while completing her studies for an associate's degree in ASL interpreting. One requirement was to serve an internship. Colleague Brian Morrison, who already had his degree, was a volunteer interpreter at Gay Bingo. He offered to supervise Johnson and two other students and the resident gamely accepted.

The first evening, she watched Morrison for the three games, then it was her turn. The host came over and teased her about her name. The night also included skits and prizes.

"We had to interpret everything we heard," she said. "It was difficult to keep up with all that was going on."

But Johnson persisted, returning every month.

"After the first three months, I started to feel more comfortable," she said.

In turn, the participants were very supportive.

"They helped me build a larger vocabulary for words and phrases I didn't know," she said.

Johnson even learned the signs for off-color words and jokes that are part of the ambience of the event but not taught in a classroom.

The deaf participants, usually six to eight regulars, are a minority in the crowd of several hundred.

"It's a very diverse group," Johnson said.

Although the tone of the evening is sheer fun, its purpose is serious: Gay Bingo is sponsored by the AIDS Fund, which raises money for HIV and AIDS services.

After Johnson earned her degree in May 2003, her internship was over, but she didn't want to give up the event.

Page: 1 2 3 |Next