The Coming Back Out Ball

About

The Coming Back Out Ball is a spectacular social event celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse and Intersex elders.

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The Coming Back Out Ball is a spectacular celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse and Intersex elders.

The project’s social mission is informed by growing research around isolation and loneliness plaguing elderly populations; which is deemed even more acute for LGBTI+ people. Research also reveals that some LGBTI+ elders conceal their sexual, gendered or cultural identity or variation(s) when they access aged care services – because they believe they are not safe.

In Australia, these elders have lived through a time when being LGBTI+ could result in imprisonment, enforced medical ‘cures’, loss of employment and rejection by family and friends. For many, impending old age has meant some elders are going back into the closet, for fear of being deprived of companionship and quality care when they need it most.

In 2016 and 2017 State Government’s around Australia formally apologised and expunged the criminal records of gay men who had lived their entire lives with a criminal record for the ‘abominable crime of buggery’.

The Coming Back Out Ball is designed to be a gift; a gift that acknowledges the resilience of this community, a gift of visibility to LGBTI+ elders who have lived through it all and a safe space for those elders just discovering themselves.

Using the form of a ball which is cultural and historically significant to many intersections of the LGBTI+ community, The Coming Back Out Ball is a political action of reclaiming one of our largest civic spaces and giving it back to a group of people who although certainly deserve it, do not have the opportunities to access a lavish night of recognition and celebration.

The Coming Back Out Ball is a night of cultural significance in which the broader community can sit alongside our LGBTI+ elders to eat, drink, dance, reminisce and dream together into the future.

In 2018, All The Queens Men have expanded our social mission to connect LGBTI+ elders throughout regional
and rural Victoria; a group often overlooked, and who also struggle with social isolation and discrimination. Throughout Victoria, All The Queens Men have reached out to these elders via our ongoing partnership with the Victorian Seniors Festival and numerous local councils by presenting the LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club throughout 2018 and 2019.

The LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club is a free ongoing social event for rainbow elders and their allies that aims to combat ageism, social isolation and discrimination through regular social connection with a drink, food, chats and dancing. Visit our website to find out when LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club is coming to a town near you!

The inaugural event was held on Saturday 7 October 2017, hosted by Robyn Archer with headline performances from Carlotta, Deborah Cheetham, Toni Lalich, Gerry Connolly and Lois Weaver supported by The Coming Back Out Orchestra conducted by Kathleen McGuire.


The Coming Back Out Ball 2018

Presented as a premiere event of the 2018 Victorian Seniors Festival in association with Val’s LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care. Funded by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, City of Melbourne, Margaret Lawrence Bequest and Victorian State Government. Supported by Australian Gay and Lesbian Archives, Showtech Australia, Sofitel Hotels and Resorts, Victoria Whitelaw Beautiful Flowers. Auspiced by Auspicious Arts Projects.

The Coming Back Out Ball 2017

Presented as a premiere event of the 2017 Victorian Seniors Festival in association with the 3rd National LGBTI+ Ageing and Aged Care Conference (Val’s LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care). Funded by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, City of Melbourne, Margaret Lawrence Bequest and Victorian State Government. Supported by Australian Gay and Lesbian Archives, Showtech Australia, Sofitel Hotels and Resorts, The Big Anxiety Festival, Priceline Pharmacy, UBER. Victoria Whitelaw Beautiful Flowers. Auspiced by Auspicious Arts Projects and Victorian AIDS Council.