become aware of the special needs of LGBT elders, Adams and the staff at SAGE have committed a large portion of resources to chang- ing public policy, training provid- ers of elder care, and advocacy with an eye toward the future. In doing so, SAGE has created the fi rst national confer-


ence devoted to LGBT aging concerns, has earned the only aging LGBT-targeted “Faith in Action” support service grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and has received a three-year, $900,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to create the nation’s only national resource center on LGBT aging. National eff orts include conducting advocacy in Washington, D.C., making LGBT-affi rming policy recommendations, and participating in national discussions pertinent to the needs of LGBT older adults. “T ere’s a lot of discrimination built into policy,” Adams


explains. “We haven’t historically been part of this aging discussion. T ere’s a lot we need to do within the scope of federal policy. Having an advocacy offi ce in Washington,


tion also seeks expansion of Social Security survivor benefi ts and spousal enhancement benefi ts to include LGBT same-sex partners.


COLLABORATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE SAGE is pursuing many of its advocacy eff orts in partner- ship with other organizations. It works with the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA) and the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) on shared areas of concerns and is a member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations and the National LGBT Health Coalition. A growing focus of the organization’s advocacy eff orts


“ DISCRIMINATION IS BUILT INTO POLICY. THERE’S A LOT WE NEED TO DO WITHIN THE SCOPE OF FEDERAL POLICY.” – MICHAEL ADAMS


D.C. is an important new focus for us.” Much of the work thus far has involved ensuring the


inclusion of LGBT people as a “vulnerable older adult constituency and identity” and those with the “greatest social need” in the delivery systems mandated by the Older Americans Act. SAGE is also working to ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity are included as specifi c categories served by federally funded aging research and data collection, as well as identifying federal funding opportunities and advocating for the allowance of Medicaid exemptions for same-sex partners. T e organiza-


MCCA.COM


is on the proper training of groups and places where LGBT elders are likely to seek care and services. To that end, it provides “cultural competency” training to help staff at senior centers, health care facilities, and other community-based organizations to help them understand the unique needs, concerns, and experiences of LGBT seniors. T e goal is to empower staff to work respect- fully with their clients, create more inclusive working environments and change the way that aging provid- ers market and present themselves. “We can’t take the place of all aging providers, so we have to train them to work well with SAGE’s constituents,” Adams explains. Widespread training eff orts will likely be aided by the recent develop-


ment of the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, which was launched in October 2010, and will provide training, technical assistance, and educational resources to such providers. “T e work is continuing to grow and expand,” Adams says.


“Now the federal government recognizes that it has a responsi- bility in playing a role in addressing these needs.” D&B


Kara Mayer Robinson is a freelance writer based near New York City. For more information on SAGE, visit SAGEUSA.org or call 212.741.2247.


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®


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