SAGE: Supporting a Thriving Population of LGBT Elders

September 30, 2016– The Stonewall riots of 1969 shed light on the LGBT civil rights movement and ignited a path for dozens of gay rights groups across the city and beyond, including Service and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE). Founded in 1978 by a small group of activists at a time when LGBT elders had been overlooked, SAGE works to achieve a high quality of life for 4,000 LGBT older adults in New York City.

Through a variety of initiatives and programs, SAGE provides a network of support to a community who struggle to survive against poverty and social isolation. With five LGBT senior centers across New York City – the first of their kind in the country – and 30 national affiliates across the country, LGBT elders have the opportunity to participate in community gatherings and peer to peer support. Of the many issues affecting LGBT elders, SAGE offers support, education and advocacy for those living with HIV/AIDS.

“An estimated 50% of the entire population living with HIV/AIDS in New York is age 50 and older. We’re only just learning how antiviral medication affects an aging body and how they are mentally impacted by living through an epidemic that decimated their support networks. We’re addressing these important issues by offering a community of support and access to care,” said Keith Butler, Director of Institutional Partnerships at SAGE.

SAGE offers the country’s first support groups for LGBT older adults living with HIV/AIDS, which have been highly successful for nearly 30 years. A grant from DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS supports this critical program which allows groups of 15-20 people to meet weekly. The smaller groups encourages personal relationships and tight-knit camaraderie which results in a low turnover rate.

“The grant from DIFFA has been instrumental in creating the new “Outliving Ourselves” program, which helps long-term survivors re-envision their future. Without many of these programs, most of our elders would be living in isolation. SAGE offers them a safe haven free of discrimination, allowing them to fully be themselves and be open about who they are,” said Tom Weber, director of care management at SAGE

In addition to receiving group support and therapy, SAGE offers a number of services for HIV positive elders including bereavement support and assistance with housing, medical and food benefits. Many of SAGE’s HIV positive members participate in their Friendly Visitor Program, which pairs more than 70 civic minded volunteers with elders who are frequently homebound, to offer “boots on the ground support” including grocery shopping and accompaniment to doctor’s appointments.

SAGE plans to continue expanding these services to reach even more LGBT elders and the older adult community living with HIV/AIDS.

“We want to expand our reach to serve a larger, more diverse group of LGBT older adults living with HIV/AIDS or at risk of contracting HIV. Through community partnerships we hope to broaden our efforts, and increase the services we provide. By providing education, wellness and spreading awareness, we can help limit discrimination against elders so that they can receive much needed services,” Keith stated, sharing the hope that we at DIFFA have to support all individuals living with or at risk of HIV.

SAGE is one of hundreds of organizations DIFFA and its chapters grants funds to across the country. Click here to learn more about DIFFA’s grant making efforts.

Join DIFFA at the Current at Chelsea Piers on November 15 for the 2016 Grant Reception!