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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.
"I was enjoying it so much," she said.
So Morrison arranged for her to be a full-fledged interpreter. The two now work together.
Johnson has been interpreting at the games for seven years. Although she has other freelance activities, "Gay Bingo is a top priority," she said. "The dates go on my calendar before anything else."
She enjoys getting in the spirit of the evenings — even in the attire she wears. When she’s working in other venues, Johnson wears business clothes, but for Gay Bingo it’s jeans, often boots and accessories to match the theme of the month. March 14’s event has a "Back to Oz" concept and Johnson has her red patent leather heels ready.
In recognition of Johnson and Morrison’s dedication, both were honored last spring by the AIDS Fund. At the annual Black Tie Gay Bingo, a gala held last spring in the Crystal Ballroom, they received the Ferrara Family Volunteer Award, given each year for outstanding service.
When Johnson learned in advance she would be a recipient, she was speechless and teary-eyed.
"I was so honored that the AIDS Fund would recognize me in this way," she said.
Besides receiving plaques, the two got to call a game of bingo, this time not in ASL. Johnson’s family attended, including her husband, parents, in-laws and brother.
"They enjoyed this so much, they’re still talking about it," she said.
Her signing skills also come in handy at the School for the Deaf, where some students are mainstreamed. For three of these pupils, Johnson attends several of their classes each day and interprets for them. She also interprets ASL for the hearing at meetings and events.
Somehow, she still has time to extend a hand on a freelance basis, working for various agencies and accompanying hearing-impaired individuals on medical appointments, job training and other places where assistance is needed.
Johnson, 33, didn’t envision this career when she first attended college. She had no hearing-impaired friends or relatives and no experience in ASL, but she was always fascinated by languages.
After starting out taking a Spanish course, she gave ASL a try "just to learn something new," she said.
She liked it so much she moved to a more advanced level. One requirement was to attend deaf community events and report on them.
"The members of the deaf community were so open and accepting and this increased my interest even more," Johnson said. "I made many friends and I fell in love with the culture and with the language."
She’s been committed ever since and remains interested in other languages. Since September, Johnson has been taking a course in Italian at Filitalia, 1834 E. Passyunk Ave., and has plans to go to Italy for two weeks to study Italian sign language, as well as the deaf culture there.
"Everything I do is tied into this interest," she said.
But Gay Bingo remains a highlight.
"It’s one of my most interesting and rewarding experiences," she said. "It’s always fun, it’s a constant challenge — and it’s for a very good cause."
The next Gay Bingo is 7 p.m. March 14 at the Gershman Y, Broad and Pine streets. Doors open at 6. Reserved seating is $20; balcony seating is $15. For more information, contact the AIDS Fund at 215-731-9255 or www.aidswalkphilly.org.
