Earlier this month, hundreds gathered in Leeds city centre for the All Out Together Charity Ball – an inspiring evening dedicated to celebration, community, and the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and wellbeing across West Yorkshire and beyond.
While the night was filled with laughter, celebration, and a strong sense of community, the event was more than just festivities and fundraising. It was a poignant reminder of the ongoing need to build supportive, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ communities and of how the role of community organisations like Out Together remains as vital as ever.
Thomas Porteus, Chair of Out Together, delivered a powerful, thought-provoking speech during the evening, sharing: “Tonight is about community. Our Community. It’s about what happens when people decide to show up for one another, especially at moments when the world can feel increasingly divided, uncertain and hostile.
“I think many of us can feel that shift at the moment. Over the last few years, public conversations have become harsher and more polarised.
“Hostility towards LGBTQ+ people is becoming more visible again. Trans people in particular find themselves under relentless scrutiny. And some seem increasingly comfortable questioning rights and identities many of us thought were settled.
“At times like this, organisations like Out Together become even more important. Because when the world becomes louder, community becomes more important.”
The ball surpassed the charity’s ambitious target, raising an astonishing sum of £21,000 that will go directly towards Out Together’s work in local communities. This brings the charity’s annual fundraising efforts at the balls over the last 5 years to over £100K.
Many familiar faces, organisations, and supporters contributed to the event’s resounding success, including the iconic Queens Hotel, hosts Christine Talbot and Matt Jameson, entertainers Veronica Green, The Undercover Waiters, Angie Brown, Deborah Page, The Northern Contemporary School of Dance and stilt walkers from NVRLND. The event was also generously supported by sponsors, law firm Weightmans and Flamingos Coffee House, and by corporate supporter Lloyds Bank, who boosted the funds raised through a matched-giving scheme.
Charles Heppenstall, Head of Weightmans Leeds Regional Office, the event’s headline sponsor, commented: “We recognise as a firm, that diversity and inclusion doesn’t end with our support for staff and extends to our support for the wider community, city, and its people.
“We understand and respect the important work Out Together does, which is why we are delighted and honoured to continue supporting it as sponsors of its biggest fundraising event of the year.”
The evening marked an opportunity to reflect on Out Together’s journey, from its beginnings tackling isolation and loneliness among older LGBTQ+ people in Leeds, to now delivering activities across West Yorkshire.
Thanks to generous funding support over the last year and funds raised at last year’s ball, it was announced on the night that the charity has had a transformative year, almost doubling the number of events run and expanding its reach into communities in Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale, and Kirklees. They also gained national recognition for the organisation’s work in digital inclusion and have continued to grow their professional network initiative, Club Out Together.
Tim Gittins, Trustee at Out Together commented: “Looking ahead, funds raised from this year’s ball will help Out Together with our ambitious plans for the future, including launching new projects later this year that will continue to support our mission of building essential community infrastructure – and creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people, from all walks of life and generations, know they can go to and be welcomed, supported and find belonging.
“We’ll also working to reach more people in rural areas, where the risk of isolation is often higher – we’re looking forward to running our Out on The Farm initiative again later this year, which has been a huge success the last couple of years and we’ll also be heading to The Great Yorkshire Show in July – as one of the first LGBTQ+ charity’s to exhibit at the event.”
Thomas Porteus concluded his speech in the evening with a message of hope: “Together we are building a future where LGBTQ+ people across West Yorkshire know they are welcomed, valued, protected, and celebrated exactly as they are. Perhaps more importantly, we’re helping ensure the next generation inherits a world that moves forward, not backwards.”
