All Out Together Charity Ball Raises £21,000 to Support LGBTQ+ Communities Across West Yorkshire

Hundreds gathered in Leeds city centre earlier this month for the All Out Together Charity Ball, an event dedicated to celebrating progress and strengthening support for LGBTQ+ rights and wellbeing in West Yorkshire and beyond.

The evening combined entertainment and fundraising with a clear message about the ongoing importance of inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ communities. It highlighted the crucial role organisations like Out Together play in fostering community resilience amid increasing societal challenges.

Thomas Porteus, Chair of Out Together, addressed attendees with a compelling speech emphasising the power of solidarity. He stated: “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.”

He continued, “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 exceeded expectations by raising an impressive £21,000, which will directly support Out Together’s community initiatives. This contribution pushes the charity’s total fundraising from these annual events over the past five years beyond £100,000.

The event featured a range of performances and contributions from well-known figures and groups, including hosts Christine Talbot and Matt Jameson, entertainer Veronica Green, The Undercover Waiters, Angie Brown, Deborah Page, The Northern Contemporary School of Dance, and stilt walkers from NVRLND. The iconic Queens Hotel provided the venue, while sponsors Weightmans law firm and Flamingos Coffee House, along with corporate supporter Lloyds Bank, played key roles. Lloyds Bank further enhanced the funds raised through a matched-giving scheme.

Charles Heppenstall, Head of Weightmans Leeds Regional Office and headline sponsor, remarked: “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 also provided a moment to reflect on Out Together’s evolution. Initially focused on combating isolation and loneliness among older LGBTQ+ individuals in Leeds, the charity now delivers a broad range of activities across West Yorkshire.

Recent funding and last year’s ball proceeds have enabled the charity to nearly double its events and expand into Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale, and Kirklees. National recognition has been achieved for its digital inclusion work, alongside growth in its professional network initiative, Club Out Together.

Trustee Tim Gittins outlined future plans: “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.”

He added, “We’ll also be 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.”

Concluding his speech, Thomas Porteus expressed optimism: “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.”