At Steven Leider's "tombstone" birthday party Monday night, neither the humorous banter of Portland drag queen Poison Waters (resplendent in a sparkly orange gown and feather boa), nor the excitement over winning bingo prizes, nor the chance to raise money for local organizations supportive of the gay community could distract partygoers from one important question:

How is it possible that Leider is 50?

"I didn't believe he was 50. I thought he was lying," said Tom Johnston, meeting facilitator for the Corvallis and Albany chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

"I want to know what product he's using," added Bob Skinner, president of Valley AIDS Information Network and local AIDS prevention educator and activist.

Leider is the coordinator of LGBT Outreach and Services at Oregon State University.

About 85 people turned out for Leider's party, a "drag-bingo" event drumming up support for Johnston's and Skinner's groups, as well as the OSU Pride Center and Basic Rights Action Team, the local chapter of Basic Rights Oregon. The festivities were held at the United Methodist Community Center.

After expenses, the event raised between $1,100 and $1,200, which will be divided among the four organizations.

Leider, who came to the party as his drag alter ego, LaVerne Lydell, said his 50th birthday was just an opportune time to help groups important to him and the community.

"My birthday was merely a convenient excuse for holding a fund-raiser for the four organizations, all of which do incredible work in the community on less than a shoestring budget," he said.

"VAIN teaches hundreds annually about HIV and AIDS, while providing support to those in our community living with these conditions. BRAT works to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oregonians by gaining civil equality for the community. PFLAG supports the families and friends of LGBT people as they go through their own coming-out process. And the Pride Center provides a safe and affirming place in which OSU and Corvallis LGBT youth and their allies can come out, access resources and make new friends."

Leider came to OSU in late 2005, and he proved a welcome addition to the campus and Corvallis, friends said.

"He's been a real shot in the arm," said Skinner.

"Steven is always incredibly energetic and positive, and he always has an open door. As students, he's always there for us if we need to talk," said Sam Leinen, external coordinator for the OSU Pride Center. Leinen is a senior majoring in graphic design.

"Since Steven came to campus, he's been an incredibly positive force of change for campus and in this community. It's an honor to be able to celebrate his birthday in this way with the organizations he cares so much about."

Leider got all dolled up for his party, wearing a red dress, black high heels, a blonde wig and sparkly makeup.

Ingrid Udd, an OSU sophomore majoring in English, had an important job at the party. She helped Leider fasten the clasp on his strands of pearls.

Udd, an office assistant at the Pride Center, said fun events like drag bingo - it's played just like bingo, except that a drag queen calls out the numbers - are what first got her involved in the campus LGBT community.

"I've always looked up to Steven, and I think this is one of the most unselfish things he could do, celebrating his 50th birthday in this way," Udd said.