All Out Together Charity Ball Raises £21,000 for LGBTQ+ Support

Community event highlights ongoing challenges and progress

Earlier this month, the All Out Together Charity Ball took place in Leeds city centre, bringing together hundreds of attendees for an evening focused on community, celebration, and the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and wellbeing across West Yorkshire. The event combined fundraising with reflection on the importance of inclusive spaces and support for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Speeches emphasise community and current challenges

Thomas Porteus, Chair of Out Together, addressed the gathering with a speech highlighting the significance of community support amid increasing societal divisions. He noted a rise in visible hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans individuals, and stressed the vital role of organisations like Out Together in providing safe and welcoming environments.

He said: “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.”

Fundraising success and support from local organisations

The event exceeded expectations by raising £21,000, which will directly support Out Together’s work in local communities. This contribution adds to over £100,000 raised by the charity through similar events over the past five years.

Several local organisations and performers participated, including the Queens Hotel as hosts, presenters Christine Talbot and Matt Jameson, entertainers such as Veronica Green, The Undercover Waiters, Angie Brown, Deborah Page, The Northern Contemporary School of Dance, and stilt walkers from NVRLND.

The ball also received sponsorship from law firm Weightmans and Flamingos Coffee House, with corporate support from Lloyds Bank, which enhanced the funds raised through a matched-giving scheme.

Charles Heppenstall, Head of Weightmans Leeds Regional Office, commented on the sponsorship: “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.”

Charity’s growth and future plans

The evening also provided an opportunity to reflect on Out Together’s development. Originally focused on addressing isolation among older LGBTQ+ people in Leeds, the charity has expanded its activities across West Yorkshire, including Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale, and Kirklees.

Recent funding and previous fundraising efforts have allowed the charity to nearly double the number of events it runs annually. Out Together has also gained national recognition for its work in digital inclusion and continues to develop its professional network initiative, Club Out Together.

Tim Gittins, Trustee at Out Together, outlined future objectives: “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.”

He added that the charity aims to reach more people in rural areas, where isolation risks are higher, through initiatives such as Out on The Farm and participation at The Great Yorkshire Show in July, where Out Together will be one of the first LGBTQ+ charities to exhibit.

Message of hope for the future

Thomas Porteus concluded the event with a message emphasising progress and inclusion: “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.”

Source: Doing Good Leeds