PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10, 2026 — Forty years of action. One fabulous night. Action Wellness will mark its 40th anniversary on October 3 at Black-Tie GayBINGO!, the Philadelphia tradition blending drag, bingo, and HIV advocacy.

Since its launch in 1999, Black-Tie GayBINGO! has been a signature Philadelphia fundraiser for more than a quarter-century. GayBINGO! events have raised nearly $5 million to support people affected by HIV.

The black-tie fundraiser returns to the Regency Ballroom at Loews Philadelphia Hotel for cocktails, a silent auction, GayBINGO!, dinner, and dancing. Stella D’Oro and Goldie Jawn will host, with the legendary Bingo Verifying Divas performing and presiding over GayBINGO!

Action Wellness Executive Director Mary Evelyn Torres will reflect on the organization’s four decades of service, Philadelphia City Council Member Rue Landau will join the program, and Demetre C. Daskalakis, MD, MPH, will receive the inaugural Carlota Ttendant Award for his work in HIV prevention and LGBTQ+ health. Proceeds support Action Wellness programs and services for people living with or at risk of HIV. An official after-party follows at 11:30 p.m. at The Tavern Group’s 254.

Guests are encouraged to arrive in formal, festive, or fabulous attire. Complimentary signature cocktails from The Tavern Group and Philadelphia Distilling will celebrate Action Wellness’s 40th anniversary.

Inaugural Carlota Ttendant Award

This year, Action Wellness will honor Demetre C. Daskalakis, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City and a nationally recognized leader in HIV prevention, infectious diseases, and LGBTQ+ health, with the inaugural Carlota Ttendant Award. The award is named for longtime GayBINGO! hostess Carlota Ttendant, who retired in June after 30 years in the role, and recognizes individuals who embody her dedication, advocacy, and spirit of community care.

“Forty years of progress in HIV prevention, treatment, and care have shown what is possible when science, trust, and community work together,” said Dr. Daskalakis. “Action Wellness has spent four decades putting those principles into practice for people living with or at risk of HIV. I’m honored to celebrate that legacy at an event that has made advocacy visible, joyful, and enduring.”

Daskalakis previously held leadership roles at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he directed the Division of HIV Prevention. He also served as Deputy Coordinator of the White House National Mpox Response and has been a visible advocate for health equity, LGBTQ+ health, and science-based public health policy.

Marking 40 Years of Action Wellness

Action Wellness traces its roots to September 1986, when Philadelphia volunteers created ActionAIDS in response to the AIDS crisis and the belief that no one should face AIDS alone. Renamed Action Wellness in 2016, the organization now serves more than 2,000 clients annually with trauma-informed services supporting physical, emotional, and economic well-being.

“GayBINGO! was formed at a time of tremendous activism and advocacy, when people were being ignored, stigmatized, and dying,” said Mary Evelyn Torres, Executive Director of Action Wellness. “It continues to raise critical funds for HIV services while creating a place where people can gather, remember, and celebrate. That spirit of community remains at the heart of GayBINGO! and of Action Wellness as we mark 40 years of standing with people living with or at risk of HIV.”

HIV Today

Advances in HIV prevention and treatment have dramatically changed the outlook for people living with HIV, but the need for supportive services remains significant. Current 2026 reporting from Action Wellness shows that more than half of clients receiving core medical and case-management services live below the federal poverty level, while 17 percent were reported as living in temporary or unstable housing.

Event Details

Black-Tie GayBINGO! takes place Saturday, October 3, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Regency Ballroom at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia. Individual tickets are $200, with tables and sponsorship opportunities also available. Tickets are available here.

Support for Black-Tie GayBINGO! is provided at the Gold Lamé level by IBX, PAT @ Giovanni’s Room, PECO, Philly AIDS Thrift, and The Tavern Group; at the Silver Lamé level by Jefferson Health; and at the Rhinestone level by Ensemble Arts Philly, MediLink RxCare, and Penn Medicine Program for LGBTQ+ Health.In-kind support is provided by Broad Street Communications, Philadelphia Distilling, Philadelphia Gay News, and Pop Up Polaroid.