Slay the Night: Bringing Fun and Resources to the LGBTQ+ Community

On December 6, 2024, West Hollywood hosted a lively and inclusive celebration at Slay the Night: Holiday Drag Bingo, an event that brought the LGBTQ+ community together at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park. Held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the event was a festive occasion that also served to promote health awareness and offer resources for the LGBTQ+ community in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.

The event was hosted by Pickle, West Hollywood’s first-ever Drag Laureate, who energized the crowd with her live-singing drag performances. Accompanied by an 11-piece live band, Pickle, along with fellow drag performers, kept attendees engaged through an interactive and high-energy series of bingo games, where participants had the chance to win exciting prizes.

While entertainment was central to the event, the evening also aimed to educate and raise awareness about important health and social issues. A standout feature was a Naloxone (Narcan) training session, which taught attendees how to respond to opioid overdoses. With fentanyl being a leading cause of accidental drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County, the session underscored the importance of accessible interventions like Naloxone.

In addition to the entertainment, every table at the event offered free meals to attendees, providing an opportunity to enjoy food while learning about available health and wellness programs. These programs were supported by various organizations, including the L.A. County Department of Aging & Disabilities (AD), Being Alive!, the California Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC), the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Drag Arts Lab, Just Don’t Die, and Out Here Health.

Around 60 people attended, with many visiting AD’s table to learn about services for older adults and individuals with disabilities. One attendee highlighted the City of West Hollywood’s transportation programs, such as Cityline Dial-A-Ride Flex and the On-Call Transportation Subsidy Program, which provide essential options for older adults and people with disabilities. These services complement the AD’s New Freedom Transportation program.

Chris Clarkin, Health Services Outreach Specialist at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and one of the event’s vendors, recalled his involvement in the launch of the L.A. Found program in 2018. Chris had worked with an advertising agency hired by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to help roll out the program; he shared memorable behind-the-scenes stories from its launch, including the dramatic use of helicopters.

Slay the Night: Holiday Drag Bingo was a vibrant, fun-filled evening that celebrated the creativity and energy of drag culture, while also raising awareness about key social and health issues. The event provided entertainment and empowered participants with valuable knowledge on topics such as substance use and available health resources. By combining education and celebration, it was a resounding success, leaving everyone with memorable moments and a greater understanding of how to contribute to a safer, healthier community.