Students and community members led into Moscow’s Best Western Plus University Inn for a night of food, dancing and provocative bingo Aug. 25. e event marked the start of Palouse Pride weekend, bringing together the LGBTQA community in Moscow and Pullman.
“It’s full of spunk,” said Stephenie King, a student at the University of Idaho.
Joleen Evans | Argonaut
Advertised as “not your grandmother’s bingo” on Facebook, the evening featured 10 rounds of bingo interspersed with titillating exhibitions from a cast of drag performers.
The evening was headlined by Aquasha DeLusty, a local drag artist, and Landon Cinder, a Los Angeles based drag artist with a large following on social media.
Students enjoyed the break after a stressful first week of classes.
“It’s a good way to take your mind off school, and play some bingo with a bunch of drag queens,” said Gabi Wachs, a fourth-year student at UI.
A Mexican-style buffet and a Tillamook sundae bar — as well as a bar serving alcoholic beverages— ensured attendees were well-fed and in good spirits.
Local businesses and supporters donated prizes, including a Nintendo Switch gaming console for the person who blacked out their bingo board in the final round.
“I think it’s really cool how everyone comes together,” said Kylie Unlikely, one of the performers at the event. “It’s not a judgmental environment. I think it’s cool that the bingo is going toward something that is benefiting the gay community.”
Proceeds from the event went to Inland Oasis, a volunteer-based organization working to serve the needs of the LGBTQA communities of the Palouse.
Drag Bingo launched Palouse Pride festivities, which also included a march through East City Park the following Saturday, a drag show at the 1912 Center Saturday evening, and a community brunch held at Maialina Pizzeria Sunday afternoon.
Palouse Pride has grown tremendously over the years, according to Katherine Sprague, an event organizer a liated with Safari Pearl comic shop.
“This is our 23rd year. It has grown from 30 people having a pot luck in East City Park — we will have 45 booths tomorrow,” Sprague said, referring to vendors setting up shop at the park.
The team organizing Palouse Pride saw some turnover this summer.
“This year we’re transitioning out and letting a new board take over the event,” Sprague said.
She said she is happy with the result of the planning.
“It’s a large event, it takes a large committee, and I think we’ve done a great job this year,” Sprague said.
Inland Oasis hosts Drag Bingo at One World Cafe at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, though at a smaller scale than Friday night’s event. With these events, Inland Oasis aims to build an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQA communities of the Palouse.
Danny Bugingo can be reached at [email protected]