What Is SAGE?:
SAGE is a service organization incorporated in 1978 as Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), now Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders. SAGE advocates and addresses the needs of older and mature gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people by helping them overcome the challenges of discrimination in senior service settings.
Why SAGE?:
According to SAGE, LGBT seniors are twice as likely to live alone than heterosexual seniors and more than four times as likely to have no children. LGBT seniors often avoid seeking needed services out of fear of discrimination and many go back into the closest to avoid being in "vulnerable" situations. LGBT seniors are also as much as five times less likely to access needed health and social services because of their fear of discrimination from their healthcare providers and caregivers.
What Services Does SAGE Offer?:
SAGE offers a variety of services for older/mature LGBT people, including:
- Friendly Visiting program for frail and homebound LGBT seniors
- Supports group for LGBT seniors with HIV
- Program dedicated to caregiving services for LGBT seniors
- LGBT Senior Drop-In Center
- National conferences devoted to LGBT aging concerns
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Faith in Action" grantee (of more than 2,000 nationwide) specifically targeting GLBT older people for supportive services
How You Can Support SAGE:
There are many ways you can support SAGE or take advantage of the organization's services. Consider volunteering, donating or become a member.
