The Coming Back Out Salon

Myer Mural Hall, Melbourne (Naarm)

Making the invisible visible, the forgotten remembered and the past treasured and valued. Featuring classical musical royalty Yo-Yo Ma who will headline the event as part of The Bach Project.

About

A sumptuous, social event celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse and Intersex elders.

The event is inspired by growing research around isolation and loneliness experienced by LGBTQIA+ elders. In Australia, these elders have lived through times when being LGBTQIA+ could result in imprisonment, enforced medical ‘cures’, loss of employment and rejection by family and friends. For many, impending old age has meant going back into the closet, for fear of being deprived of companionship and quality care when they need it most.

Created by acclaimed performance makers All The Queens Men, The Coming Back Out Salon is designed as a gift. Proudly acknowledging the resilience of older LGBTIQ+ people who have lived through it all, it’s also a safe space for those just discovering themselves later in life.

The Salon is a night of cultural significance where rainbow allies can sit alongside LGBTIQ+ elders to eat, drink, dance, reminisce and dream together into the future.

The Coming Back Out Salon was supported by Internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma as part of The Bach Project presented for the Victorian Seniors Festival.

Creative Team

Director and Host: Tristan Meecham

Producer: Bec Reid

Production: Anna Pidgeon with Rockie

Lighting: Bosco Shaw

Sound: Russell Goldsmith

The Bach Project Producer: Erin Milne

Hosts: Ede Strong, Ellen Blackman, Sara Strachan, Beau-Luke Colton, Rockie Stone

Thanks: Cameron Menzies.

Performers: Internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma alongside Kutcha Edwards, Sarah Ward, Mama Alto and The Gender Euphoria Ensemble, The Coming Back Out Orchestra conducted by Phillipa Edwards (Skunkworks Productions), Miss First Nations: Chocolate Boxx, Marzi Panne and Miss Ellaneous.