NEW YORK – Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force today announced they have received a $500,000 grant from the Arcus Gay and Lesbian Fund to support a joint national advocacy and policy effort around gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) aging. SAGE and the Task Force will collaborate on a series of ventures that push public policies that address GLBT aging concerns and enhance support, protections and quality of life for GLBT seniors. The grant will fund two new staff positions – one at each organization – and related program expenses.

“As the one organization that focuses on the full gamut of GLBT aging issues both locally and nationally, SAGE is thrilled to partner with the Task Force on this national effort to improve the lives of the senior members of our community,” said SAGE Executive Director Michael Adams. “This initiative serves a critical need: In the next 20 years the number of LGBT people age 65 and above will grow by 70 percent – from approximately 3 million now to roughly 5 million over the next quarter century. This demographic tidal wave, combined with the endemic invisibility, marginalization and discrimination faced by LGBT older people, lends an added urgency to this first-of-a-kind national advocacy effort. Thanks to this funding from Arcus, we will be able to launch a strategic and focused effort to increase visibility, awareness, policy protections and support for GLBT older people.” Adams added that the new initiative is especially timely since SAGE just launched an online community of GLBT aging advocates and service providers nationwide, and plans on hosting its fourth national conference on GLBT aging next fall.

“We are grateful to the Arcus Foundation for funding this innovative partnership between the Task Force and SAGE,” said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “This project will combine the Task Force’s federal policy and research expertise, SAGE’s unparalleled understanding of the needs of LGBT elders, and the energy of activists across the nation to shape a better future for all our seniors.”