Come along to the Coming Back Out Ball
Victoria is set to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) elders in spectacular style this October when the state hosts its inaugural Coming Back Out Ball.
Senior LGBTI dance group gets together once a month in the lead up to the ball in October (Source: Starling Communications)
The event, an initiative of All The Queens Men, will run on Saturday, 7 October in conjunction with the 2017 Victorian Seniors Festival and the 3rd National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference to put a spotlight on the needs of LGBTI elders through close collaboration of a series of events.
Creative Director Tristan Meecham says the event has been 12 months in the making and has even been the inspiration of monthly events in the lead up.
“This October will be the inaugural year for the Coming Back Out Ball and will be the first big event that we have held like this,” Mr Meecham says.
“During the lead up to the Ball, we decided it may be beneficial to run some regular events for the LGBTI community so we have been running a monthly dance club since October which has been quite successful.”
With a capacity of 500 guests at the Melbourne Town Hall for Octobers Coming Back Out Ball, Tristan says LGBTI elders have been given priority and free entry thanks to the support sought from a number of sponsors.
“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,” he says.
“We want this event to be all about our LGBTI elders and to allow them to feel safe about their sexual and cultural identity on the night and feel confident and comfortable in coming to the Ball – we want this to be as accessible to elderly LGBTI community members as possible.
“We definitely welcome non LGBTI members of the public along as well to help build a better relationship between the community and our LGBTI elders and to provide inclusivity into the wider community.”
The event will include entertainment acts from within Australia and overseas for what Mr Meecham is describing as a ‘spectacularly wonderful’ night.
“There are some amazing performers on the line up including Robyn Archer, Carlotta, Debora Cheetham, Toni Lalich, Gerry Connolly and Lois Weaver,” he says.
“There will even be live performing choirs – it’s going to be a really over the top and wonderful event.
“We hope that everyone has a great night dancing, enjoying the food, drinks and concert and connecting with all the other attendees – it’s going to be a great chance to come together, connect socially and network and to feel part of something bigger.
“We want to see this event continue for many years and to feel the positive effects for many months following.”
Reservations can be made and tickets are available for purchase online at a cost of $100 for full price, $50 for Senior Concession and free for LGBTI elders over 65.
