The Coming Back Out Ball

Media

7.30 Report with Leigh Sales ABC TV (2018)

Back out of the closet and onto the dance floor
Hundreds of members of the LGBTI community have gathered in central Melbourne for the second 'Coming Back Out Ball', which celebrates those who led the charge out of the closet. But behind the glitz and glamour, the event also addresses issues of social isolation, ageism and homophobia.
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JUNKEE (2018)

The Community And Joy Of The Coming Back Out Ball
The ballroom dance floor fills with couples slow dancing, elders doing the nut bush with their carers, groups of friends throwing their hands in the air. I thought to myself: is there anything better in this world than watching old queers grab ass on a dance floor? I can’t think of anything.
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The Guardian (2018)

The Coming Back Out Ball – in pictures
Photographer Meredith O’Shea visited the Coming Back Out Ball, an event celebrating LGBTI elders in Melbourne. The event was created and produced by All the Queens Men, which creates theatrical and participatory arts experiences
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ABC News (2018)

Coming Back Out Ball helping LGBTI elders be themselves
I've been at war with myself for years because I held everything inside, because I was in a nice marriage with lovely children and I didn't want to hurt anyone.
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JOY FM: Mad Wednesdays with Robbie & Dean (2018)

The Coming Back Out Ball is back with Tristan Meecham
Coming back out by popular demand, The Coming Back Out Ball returns in 2018 & Tristan Meecham joined MAD Wednesday to tell them all about it. The Coming Back Out Ball makes the invisible visible, the forgotten remembered and the past treasured and valued.”
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JOY FM: Driving you mad, driving you crazy (2018)

Bec Reid & Elisabeth Bridson on the Coming Back Out Ball on 25th October
David and Sue talk to Bec Reid & Elisabeth Bridson about the Coming Back Out Ball which is back on for 2018 at the Melbourne Town Hall
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The Age

LGBTI elders dance club
Photos from the LGBTI elders dance club at Fiztroy Town Hall by Meredith O'Shea
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Star Observer (2018)

We're still here and we are staying here.
I remember being at a street party and having young people come up to me and say they didn't know we stayed dykes when we got older.
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Star Observer (2018)

Images from the Red Carpet of The Coming Back Out Ball 2018
Photos from the Red Carpet
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The New York Times (2017)

For Older Gays Who Might Re-Enter the Closet, a Ball Invites Them Out
The closet was a safe place, we haven’t got as much energy as we used to have. And we don’t want to get into brawls. We just want to live peaceful lives now, please.
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The Guardian (2017)

I've seen it all: LGBTI elders come back out at the ball
In the midst of Australia’s same-sex marriage survey, a glorious night in Melbourne celebrates those who came of age when being ‘in the closet’ was all but compulsory.
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Assemble Papers (2017)

The Poetics of Partying
Elderly LGBTI people are much more likely to experience social isolation than their straight counterparts, without the support of traditional family structures. We want to create intergenerational connections and family in the queer sense of the word – a family you create, rather than are born into.
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Radio National Life Matters (2017)

What LGBTI elders think of SSM
Recently the last dance club for the year was held, and it was also the first gathering for the LGBTI elders since the results of the same sex marriage survey were announced. RN's Fiona Pepper went along to the dance to hear how the elders were feeling since the outcome of the postal survey.
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The Project - Channel 10 (2017)

The Coming Back Out Ball featuring Lizzi Craig and Derek Christian
They're the elders of the LGBTI community who've fought discrimination, violence and even the law. And now they've been honoured, with one kick-ass party.
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Channel 9 News (2017)

Rainbow Dance for LGBTI elders
With the rights of the gay community at the centre of public debate, a Melbourne man is giving older members the chance to be out and proud.
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Sky News (2017)

LGBTI elders have their say on postal vote
Costas said the prospect of marrying another man was never a question he thought he'd be asked. 'I can't really answer that question because theoretically it wasn't probably possible, everyone's personal journey is different, getting married, having a partner, I had no idea it would happen'.
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VICE (2017)

It's Time to Listen to Your LGBTI+ Elders
It's the sadness that sticks, though. The lesbian couple in their sixties who have been in love for almost 40 years, and who politely and apologetically decline to be photographed together because they're worried about work finding out.
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The Conversation Hour - ABC Radio (2017)

Joanna Murray-Smith, Tristan Meecham, Lois Weaver, Yan Duyvendak
Not only is The Coming Back Out Ball an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate but it is a glamorous opportunity and that's really important.
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The Drawing Room - ABC Radio (2017)

Coming back out
For LGBTI people, the narrative tends to be focused on struggles of young adulthood. Of coming out, and finding a place in the world. A new event is honouring the elders of the LGBTI community, and reflecting on what it means to grow older as a part of that community,
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Radio National (2017)

LGBTI elders dance club
At a special seniors' social night LGBTI elders, ranging in age from 60 to 90, hit the dancefloor.
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Star Observer (2017)

Gay Scene - The Coming Back Out Ball
Photos from the Red Carpet - Part 1
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Star Observer (2017)

Gay Scene - The Coming Back Out Ball
Photos from the Red Carpet - Part 2
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Star Observer (2017)

Meet the Aussie Activist who cam out as non-binary at 76
Nancy Peck came out as non-binary when she was 76 years old. She’d been exploring gender and the many ways younger people were identifying, and as a queer person decided she wanted to shatter stereotypes around elderly people.
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The Senior (2017)

Gordon’s ready to have a ball
Gordon Wilson came out as gay to his parents in 1950 when he was 14. “I think the Coming Back Out Ball is a fantastic idea,” he said. “It will be a wonderful celebration.”
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SBS sexuality (2017)

The Coming Back Out Ball: A celebration of pride, visibility and strength
I came up in a different era, and we had a lot of oppression, a lot of homophobia, but I’ve always been out there. It’s always been a part of what I am and I stand up for it. You’ve got to.
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Melbourne Magazine (2017)

Dancing for diversity
This is our gift to say: we see you and we honour you and we want you to be part of the fabric of our community. It is important that we remember this, especially in this divisive time for LBGTI+ people.
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The Age (2017)

I'm coming out: Gay elders embrace new dance club
After a lifetime of guilt and secret longings, David Morrison came out as gay at age 76. He says the LGBTI Elders Dance Club could help people "to be involved with the LGBTI communities. To not just be alone, to be willing to mix with others.
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The Guardian (2017)

The Coming Back Out Ball: being out and proud and older in Australia
The Coming Back Out Ball might seem like a one-off, feel-good celebration, serving little purpose but to entertain, but its ramifications are likely to be lasting, for those on the dance floor and for the wallflowers at the side.
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Herald Sun (2017)

Shear Delight
Judith Slade, a dame of Australian shearing, is coming back out of the retirement home.
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RRR Radio (2017)

The Coming Back Out Ball
Co-ordinator of Val’s LGBTI+ Aging and Aged Care, Pauline Crameri, joins Breakfasters to discuss the Coming Back Out Ball and the LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference.
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JOY FM - Friday Drive (2017)

David & Brendan talk to Tristan Meecham, Margot and Caroline about The Coming Back Out Ball
The long-term vision is that The Coming Back Out Ball becomes an adored event on Melbourne’s social calendar; understood for its inclusivity and cultural significance.
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JOY FM - The Informer (2017)

Living and Learning from our LGBTI Elders
On this episode we look at the elderly spectrum of our rainbow community, as well as support and information services that help make our elderly community stronger, and remind us all of the relevance of their stories and lived experiences.
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JOY FM - Been There Done That (2017)

We are everywhere … & more important than the Kardashians?
Tristan Meecham joins us to promote both the Dance Club for GLBTI Elders and Friends – Sunday 10 Sept 2-5pm, Fitzroy Town Hall.
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PBSFM 106.7FM (2017)

The Breakfast Spread: State of the Art
Tristan Meecham and Bec Reid speak to the Breakfast Spread about the upcoming Coming Back Out Ball on Saturday October 7.
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Arts Review (2017)

On the Couch with Robyn Archer AO
Robyn will host and perform at The Coming Back Out Ball at the Melbourne Town Hall as a premiere event of the 2017 Victorian Seniors Festival in association with the 3rd National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference on Saturday 7 October 2017.
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3CR: Out of the Pan (2017)

The Coming Back Out Ball
Guest Tristan Meecham talks about the Coming Back out Ball on 7 October.
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The Yarra Reporter (2017)

A forgotten community now given some dancing shoes
There is obviously a level of invisibility that happens as people get old and it’s really important just to make sure that all of the rainbow community is catered for.
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Daily Care (2017)

Brenda - fighting for change
The Coming Back Out Ball is fantastic idea and an opportunity to make new connections in a supportive space with a diverse population, and to encourage those feeling isolated and vulnerable to join in and be themselves.
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Aged Care Guide (2017)

Come along to the Coming Back Out Ball
This event is all about putting the needs and pioneering efforts of the elderly LGBTI community in the spotlight and so, all LGBTI people over the age of 65 will be able to come along to the Ball, enjoy the entertainment, food and drinks all for free.
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Yarra City Arts (2017)

LGBTI Elders are invited to the All The Queen’s Men Dance Club at the Fitzroy Town Hall.
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Download The Coming Back Out Ball Media Kit 2018

For all media requests, please contact Ben Starick (Starling Communications)
Mobile: 0411029393
Email: ben@starling.com.au