Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders
A U.S. nonprofit providing direct services, community programs, training, and policy advocacy for LGBTQ+ older adults.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders, commonly known as SAGE, is a United States nonprofit focused on the quality of life, rights, and social inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning older adults. The organization was incorporated in 1978 under the name Senior Action in a Gay Environment by lesbian and gay activists and professionals working in aging services. It developed during a period when many older LGBTQ+ people faced isolation, discrimination, limited family support, and a lack of culturally competent services in housing, health care, long-term care, and other aging systems. SAGE combines direct support with public policy work. Its programs include social and community activities, case management, caregiver assistance, friendly visiting, support groups, educational workshops, veteran services, HIV-related services, and emergency assistance. The organization works directly with older adults in New York and other locations while also collaborating with local partners across the United States and Puerto Rico. It has additionally supported work involving LGBTQ+ older people and service providers in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nepal, and the Philippines. SAGE has been associated with several pioneering initiatives in LGBTQ+ aging. Its New York City Friendly Visitor Program, established in 1979, was an early organized effort to match volunteers with frail or homebound LGBTQ+ older adults for regular companionship. The organization also developed an early support group for LGBTQ+ older adults living with HIV, a dedicated caregiving program, and national conferences addressing LGBTQ+ aging. In New York City, SAGE operates or supports centers and services designed specifically for LGBTQ+ older people, including municipally funded senior-center facilities established with support from the New York City Department for the Aging and the New York City Council. At the national level, SAGE advocates for aging and LGBTQ+ policies that recognize the needs of older adults who may experience discrimination because of sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, or family structure. In 2010, it received a three-year, $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to establish a national resource center on LGBTQ+ aging. Its policy work has included efforts related to the Older Americans Act and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ and HIV-related concerns in aging-service systems. SAGE reported success in securing LGBTQ+-inclusive language in the 2020 reauthorization of that act. The organization also shares research, practical guides, and educational publications concerning inclusive housing, caregiving, long-term care, public policy, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults. In 2017, it created SAGECare, a fee-based training and consulting social enterprise that helps providers develop more inclusive services and environments for LGBTQ+ older adults. In 2022, SAGE announced an organizational and strategic restructuring. The plan introduced two semi-autonomous divisions: SAGEServes, centered on service delivery, and SAGEVenture, focused on social enterprise. It also called for a more flexible partnership model and an expanded Center of Excellence. Michael Adams serves as chief executive officer. SAGE is supported by a geographically distributed board, with Ruth Eisenberg and Kevin Williams identified as board chairs in the available reference material. The organization remains active in direct service, professional education, coalition-building, and advocacy concerning LGBTQ+ aging.
History
SAGE was incorporated in 1978 as Senior Action in a Gay Environment by lesbian and gay activists and aging-service professionals. Its formation responded to the absence of services that understood the particular circumstances of LGBTQ+ older people, including social isolation, discrimination, estrangement from biological family, unequal access to housing and health care, and the effects of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The organization later adopted the name Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders and is also described in more recent materials as serving LGBTQ+ elders. One of SAGE's early priorities was to create reliable social connection for older adults who were isolated or unable to travel. In 1979, it established the New York City Friendly Visitor Program, matching volunteers with LGBTQ+ older people for recurring visits and telephone contact. The program became a model for providing companionship and emotional support to frail or homebound people whose identities and relationships might not be recognized by mainstream aging services. SAGE subsequently developed additional programs for people living with HIV, caregivers, and older adults needing case management or practical assistance. The organization expanded from a local New York initiative into a national advocacy and technical-assistance institution. It organized conferences on LGBTQ+ aging, worked with aging-service providers, and produced educational material on caregiving, housing, long-term care, public policy, and inclusive service delivery. Its policy work operates at federal, state, and local levels, seeking to ensure that aging programs include LGBTQ+ and HIV-related concerns and that LGBTQ+ policy initiatives account for the needs of older constituents. SAGE's New York service infrastructure grew with public support. In January 2012, it opened what was described as the nation's first municipally funded senior center specifically serving LGBTQ+ older adults, with funding from the New York City Department for the Aging and the New York City Council. Further funding in 2014 supported centers in Brooklyn and the Bronx and expanded facilities and services in Harlem. A community partnership also extended services to Staten Island. SAGE later replicated selected models outside New York, including a Friendly Visitor Program in Fort Lauderdale and care-management and emergency-fund support in Miami. A major national milestone came in 2010, when SAGE received a three-year, $900,000 federal grant to create a national resource center on LGBTQ+ aging. The center's role included disseminating information, supporting providers, and helping policymakers and communities understand the needs of older LGBTQ+ people. SAGE also participated in public education through reports and guides addressing inclusive housing, caregiving, discrimination, and the experiences of older adults. SAGE's caregiver work gained public visibility through SAGECAP, or SAGE Caring And Preparing. A New York City campaign in 2010 promoted caregiver-related services and received a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding social marketing. The organization also developed SAGEPositive, which combines case management, social activities, and workshops for LGBTQ+ people over 50 living with or affected by HIV. SAGEVets provides services for LGBTQ+ veterans over 50, including case management, support groups, links to Veterans Affairs resources, and assistance with discharge-status upgrades in eligible circumstances. In 2017, SAGE founded SAGECare as a social enterprise. Rather than limiting its work to direct beneficiaries, the initiative provides paid training and consulting to organizations seeking to improve their treatment of LGBTQ+ older adults. Courses address inclusive communities, home care, and other issues affecting LGBTQ+ elders. This model extends SAGE's expertise to service providers and creates an additional organizational platform alongside charitable programs. SAGE has continued to advocate for inclusive aging legislation. In 2020, it reported success in efforts supporting LGBTQ+-inclusive reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, a central federal framework for organizing and funding aging services. In 2022, SAGE announced a strategic and organizational redesign involving SAGEServes for service programs, SAGEVenture for social enterprise, a more flexible partnership approach, and an expanded Center of Excellence. Through these structures, the organization continues to combine direct services, professional education, research, coalition work, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ older adults.
- 2022
Strategic restructuring announced
[1]SAGE announced SAGEServes, SAGEVenture, an expanded Center of Excellence, and a more flexible partnership model.
- 2020
Advocacy for LGBTQ+-inclusive Older Americans Act reauthorization
[1]SAGE reported success in supporting LGBTQ+-inclusive language in the reauthorization of the federal Older Americans Act.
- 2017
SAGECare founded
[1]SAGE launched a fee-based training and consulting social enterprise focused on LGBTQ+-inclusive aging services.
- 2014
New York center network expanded
[1]Additional funding supported centers in Brooklyn and the Bronx and expanded services in Harlem.
- 2012
First municipally funded LGBTQ+ senior center opened
[1]SAGE opened a New York City senior center supported by the city Department for the Aging and City Council.
- 2010
National resource center grant
[1]SAGE received a three-year federal grant to create a national resource center on LGBTQ+ aging.
- 1979
Friendly Visitor Program established
[1]SAGE created a New York City program matching volunteers with homebound LGBTQ+ older adults for recurring visits and calls.
- 1978
Organization incorporated
[1]SAGE was incorporated as Senior Action in a Gay Environment by LGBTQ+ activists and aging-service professionals.
Products and positioning
Nonprofit service, advocacy, education, and policy organization specializing in LGBTQ+ aging
Community and senior centers · 2012
SAGE Centers
SAGE Centers provide LGBTQ+-affirming spaces for older adults to access social activities, community connection, information, and supportive services. The New York network includes facilities and programs developed with municipal funding, including locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as services extended through community partnerships.
Social support · 1979
Friendly Visitor Program
The Friendly Visitor Program connects volunteers with LGBTQ+ older adults who are frail, homebound, or socially isolated. Regular home visits and telephone contact are intended to provide companionship and emotional support while helping participants maintain a connection with the wider LGBTQ+ community.
HIV-related elder services
SAGEPositive
SAGEPositive serves LGBTQ+ people over 50 who are living with HIV or otherwise affected by HIV. Its services include case management, social events, and educational workshops. The program is associated with one of the longest-running support groups for LGBTQ+ older adults living with HIV.
Veteran services
SAGEVets
SAGEVets supports LGBTQ+ veterans over 50 across New York State. It offers case management, peer and support groups, referrals to Veterans Affairs services, and assistance with efforts to upgrade certain less-than-honorable discharge records related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Caregiver support
Caregiver Program
SAGE's caregiver services support both caregivers and care recipients through resources such as respite assistance, support groups, information, and related case-management help. The program recognizes the importance of chosen family and other caregiving relationships in LGBTQ+ communities.
Training and consulting · 2017
SAGECare
SAGECare is a fee-for-service training and consulting enterprise founded by SAGE. Its offerings address the creation of inclusive communities, home care for LGBTQ+ older adults, and specific operational and cultural issues faced by providers serving LGBTQ+ elders.
Information and technical assistance · 2010
National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging disseminates information and practical guidance for older adults, families, service providers, advocates, and policymakers. Its subject areas include inclusive housing, caregiving, long-term care, public policy, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ older people.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010SAGECAP
New York City
SAGECAP, short for SAGE Caring And Preparing, was promoted through a citywide campaign concerning caregiving services for LGBTQ+ older adults and their families or support networks.
Outcome. The campaign received a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Social Marketing Campaign.
Brand decisions
2022
Created SAGEServes and SAGEVentureStrategyBackground
SAGE sought to clarify and expand its service, partnership, and social-enterprise activities.
Action taken
The organization announced two semi-autonomous divisions: SAGEServes for service programs and SAGEVenture for social enterprise, together with an expanded Center of Excellence and a more flexible partnership approach.
Aftermath
The announced structure positioned direct services, technical expertise, and social enterprise as related but distinct areas of organizational activity.
2020
Supported LGBTQ+-inclusive Older Americans Act reauthorizationStrategyBackground
The Older Americans Act is a principal federal framework for the organization and delivery of aging services.
Action taken
SAGE advocated for reauthorization provisions that recognized LGBTQ+ older adults and HIV-related concerns within aging policy.
Aftermath
SAGE reported that the reauthorization included LGBTQ+-inclusive elements, reinforcing its national policy role.
Recent events
- 2022
SAGE announced a new strategic structure[1]
Other
SAGE announced SAGEServes and SAGEVenture, a broader partnership approach, and an expanded Center of Excellence as part of a revised organizational direction.
- 2017
SAGECare launched as a training and consulting social enterprise[1]
Product launch
SAGE established SAGECare as a fee-for-service operation offering education and consulting on inclusive care and community practices for LGBTQ+ older adults.
- 2010
SAGE received a federal grant to establish a national resource center on LGBTQ+ aging[1]
Other
The organization received a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to create a national resource center focused on LGBTQ+ older adults.
Sources2 sources
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