The Coming Back Out Ball
The Coming Back Out Ball is a spectacular social event celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) elders.
Visit the project website: www.comingbackoutball.com
The Coming Back Out Ball is inspired by research revealing that some LGBTI elders conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity when they access aged care services – because they believe they are not safe. These LGBTI 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 of these elders (the first generation to fight for LGBTI equality) impending old age means going back into the closet, or risk being deprived of companionship and quality care when they need it most.
But much has changed over the course of LGBTI elders lifetime in Victoria. The State Government has expunged gay convictions and apologised to older gay men for the treatment they received. Aged care service providers are embracing strategies to become more LGBTI inclusive and Victoria will soon receive Australia’s first LGBTI Pride Centre. The Coming Back Out Ball augments research and social services, by providing a public celebration and declaration to LGBTI elders of their worth and value, acknowledging their experience and rich lives. Our aim is that The Coming Back Out Ball empowers LGBTI elders to assert their social agency, value and worth within a mainstream and ageist paradigm.
The long-term vision is that The Coming Back Out Ball becomes a much-loved annual event on Melbourne’s social calendar; understood for its inclusivity and cultural significance.
Read The Coming Back Out Ball Project Evaluation here. Created in partnership with RMIT University, written by Dr Marnie Badham, Lenine Bourke and Tristan Meecham.
Artistic and Production Team: Keith Deverell, Forde + Nicol, Russell Goldsmith, Gregory Lorenzutti, Bryony Jackson, Sally McPhee, Logan Mucha, Tristan Meecham, Cameron Menzies, Anna Pidgeon, Bec Reid, Nick Roux, Rockie Stone, Sue Thomson, Andrew Westle.
Performers: Blake Adams, James Andrews, Robyn Archer, Andy Black, Carlotta, Deborah Cheetham, Gerry Connolly, Jarred Dewey, Luke George, Benjamin Hancock, Toni Lalich, Dr. Kathleen McGuire, Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus, Marzi Panne and Miss Ellaneous, POW Circus, Bec Reid, James Shannon, Lois Weaver, James Welsby,
Orchestra: Ben Castle (Concert Master), Edwina Jensen, Rose Kavanagh, Tara Murphy, Elyane De Fontenay, Tom Higham, Molly Collier, Jarred Mathie, Anna Porkorny, Alexander Araiswale, Sophie Western, David Reicht, Justin Beere, Lyndon Watts, Rachel Shaw, Fletcher Cox, Ming Li, Justin Jacobs, Kathryn Thomas, Kathleen Halloran.
Volunteers: Ada, Ailsa, Alice, Alissa, Amy, Anna, Andrew, Angela, Angela, Annette, Ben, Bertrand, Brian, Cameron, Chanelle, Charlotte, Deheny, Dimitiri, Emily, Fee, Fernando, Gabriel, Holle, Jacinta, Jai, Karolina, Kate, Lorette, Lucy, Maddy, Mara, Marme, Nicholas, Nik, Nina, Olivia, Patti, Paul, Robert, Reema, Renea, Sam, Samantha, Sherene and Susan.
RMIT Evaluators: Dr Marnie Badham, Lenine Bourke, Alyson Campbell, Joshua Durrant, Samantha Harlow-Black, Susan Maco Forrester, Steve Pereira, Tara Prowse Robert Walton
Thanks and gratitude: Phillip Adams, Ro Allen, Brenda Appleton, Kristy Aryes, Lou Austin, Dr. Marnie Badham, Kirsty Baird, Dr. Catherine Barrett, Caroline Bayer, Paul Brophy, Michelle Brooker, Jill Bowen, Sheryl Bryce, Daniel Bryen, Lenine Bourke, Kent Burgess, Liz Craig, Karen Cochrane, Jan Cochrane-Harry, Pauline Crameri, Brian Day, Matt Dixon, Maddy Dowling, Drew Downing, Alison Duncan, Tanja Farmer, Deb Fryers, Nanette Fox, Sally Goldner, Robyn Good, John Hall, Bonnie Halsall, Nick Henderson, Cas Hunter, Andrew Jacobs, Jen Jennings, Shona Johnson, Ann Lafferty, JR Latham, Benjamin Law, Olivia Manzart, Fiona Macleod, Peter Mensfeld, Heather Morgan, David Morrison, Erin Milne, Roger Monk, Jacinta Moylan, Logan Mucha, Jess Murphy, Terrence Murphy, Rory O’Neill, Katie Page, Toni Paynter, Nance Peck, Chris Reidy, Mark Trevorrow, Jason Triolo, Clive Scott, Judith Slade, Ben Starick, Annie Stephens, Sherene Stewart, Brad Spolding, Magda Szubanski, Ardy Tibby, Noel Tovey, Brendan Valmont, Jenny Villa, Sam Wallman, Tony Walsh, Peter Waples Crowe, Victoria Whitelaw, Gordon Wilson, Jennifer Wolcott and William Yang.
The Coming Back Out Ball was 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.
Auspice by Auspicious Arts Projects and Victorian AIDS Council.
