Improving the Lives of LGBTQ+ Older Adults

Living to 100 Club

On this Living to 100 Club podcast, our guest is Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE. SAGE is the world’s largest organization dedicated to advocacy, services, and innovations for LGBTQ+ older adults. Michael introduces our audience to the mission of SAGE, its policy advocacy role, and the array of community-based services it offers in New York and Florida. We explore the unique challenges of this cohort group, from social isolation to ageist stereotypes that can exceed the usual hurdles faced by most older adults. Why is there a higher incidence of poverty and chronic health conditions in this group? What are the considerations for the LGBTQ+ older adults whose identity is defined by so much more than sexual activity? And how does the SAGE organization serve the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ elderly through its different roles? Join us for this important and engaging conversation. Mini Bio Michael Adams is the Chief Executive Officer of SAGE (Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders). Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers. It advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ+ elders. Also it provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and offers cultural competency training through SAGECare. Prior to joining SAGE, Adams spent a decade leading cutting-edge litigation that established new rights for LGBTQ+ people. First, this was as Associate Director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ+ Project, and then as Deputy Legal Director at Lambda Legal. A graduate of Stanford Law School and Harvard College, Adams has authored numerous publications on an array of LGBTQ+ issues. He has taught law school courses on sexual orientation and gender identity and has served on advisory councils for AARP, Fortune 500 companies, leading universities, and the NYC Department for the Aging among others. Adams is the former Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Society on Aging. For Our Listeners SAGE Website: SageUSA