Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Elders (SAGE) Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Elders (SAGE) held its 20th Annual Awards Gala on October 19 at Gotham Hall. SAGE is the world’s most influential organization serving LGBT elders. Amida Care was happy to join the celebration. Over 600 philanthropic, legal, and corporate entities and supporters attended this year’s gala to reflect on past achievements and re-commit to building a better future for the LGBT elder community, raising nearly $800K for SAGE’s efforts.

Amida Care applauds SAGE and the honorees for their work for New York City’s LGBT community. SAGE offers arts and culture, health and wellness, employment, and other services and programs to LGBT seniors nationwide. Amida Care has three growing Medicare plans for its elderly members, providing comprehensive health coverage and coordinated care to New Yorkers with chronic conditions including HIV/AIDS and behavioral health disorders. SAGE also advocates at the federal, state, and local levels for public policies that will improve economic security, community support, and health and wellness among a growing population of LGBT older people.

Honorees at the gala included Assembly member Deborah J. Glick, the first openly gay state legislator, for the Paula Ettelbrick Community Service Award; the Macquarie Group for the SAGE Philanthropic Leadership Award; Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges , for the LGBT Pioneer Award; Stephen Simcock, General Counsel of JP Morgan Chase’s Consumer and Community Banking businesses, for the Jack Watters Corporate Advocate Award; and longtime LGBT activists and partners Ted Snowdon and Duffy Violante for the Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award. The gala featured a special performance of the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home . Edie Windsor, LGBT activist and lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case United States v. Windsor , was also a guest and introduced Obergefell.