Company Profile
SAGE
Company Overview
Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) is the
nation’s oldest and largest community based
organization serving and celebrating the senior
members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) communities. Founded in 1978,
SAGE provides a wide array of social services,
community building and community organizing
programs. SAGE is also a national leader in
advocacy, educating the LGBT and non-LGBT
communities about LGBT aging through efforts
such as training for community groups and
professionals, sponsorship of national
conferences, and developing affiliates across
the nation. SAGE is currently developing plans
for the nation’s first LGBT center for senior
services and advocacy, to be opened in Manhattan.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
1978
· On May 22, SAGE is incorporated, and
the first Board of directors is formed.
· SAGE holds its first monthly social, a
monthly event that continues to this day.
1979
· SAGE establishes its Friendly Visitors
Program for the Homebound, delivering services
to its first group of clients using SAGE trained
volunteers.
1980
· SAGE receives its first grant money
from the Greater New York Fund.
· The first full time Executive Director,
Jim Flanagan, is hired.
· SAGE becomes the first gay organization
to participate in and have a booth at the
Gerontological Society’s annual convention.
1982
· Ken Dawson is hired as Executive
Director, shifting the focus of SAGE from social
service to activism and self help.
· SAGE hires its first staff person to
coordinate its services.
1983
· SAGE receives the 1st Gerontologist
Award to a Lesbian/Gay agency for Achievement in
Advocacy or Service Delivery proclaiming SAGE as
a national prototype for supportive services to
lesbian and gay elderly.
· Mayor Ed Koch declares April 24 “SAGE
Day”.
1984
· SAGE founding member, Chris Almvig,
received the Susan B Anthony Award from NOW.
· SAGE opens the nation’s first senior
gay and lesbian Drop-in Center.
1985
· SAGE members and partners Gene Harwood
and Bruhs Mero, and partners Mae Gompers and
Marion Lonsdorf are Grand Marshals for NYC’s Gay
Pride March.
1987
· SAGE hires its first Supervisor of
Group Services to develop and oversee congregate
programming at SAGE’s Drop-In Center.
1989
· SAGE holds its first of seven Woman’s
Conferences to address the unique political,
social, economic and health issues of older
lesbians.
· SAGE establishes its AIDS and the
Elderly Program, the first of its kind in the
nation.
1990
· Arlene Kochman is hired as Executive
Director, building its clinical and professional
social services.
1991
· SAGE members Roy Strickland and William
Wynkoop are featured on an ABC Eyewitness News
Special on domestic partnerships.
1992
· SAGE establishes its network of
independent affiliates – SAGENET-- organizations
from across the country striving to serve the
gay and lesbian senior community.
1993
· “For Better or Worse” – a film
featuring Gean Harwood and Bruhs Mero –is
nominated for an academy award.
· SAGE hires its first coordinator for
the Older Lesbian Project.
1994
· SAGE budget grows to half a million
dollars.
1995
· SAGE becomes a New York State licensed
Mental Health Clinic, and opens its second site
and clinical offices at 305 Seventh Avenue in
Manhattan.
1996
· SAGE programs serve over 1,000 people
in 1996.
· SAGE receives the Maggie Kuhn Award in
recognition of its outstanding work on behalf of
senior lesbians and gay men.
1997
· SAGE establishes its Lifetime
Achievement Awards dedicated to honoring the
senior members of the lesbian and gay community.
· Terry Kaelber is hired as Executive
Director, and SAGE hires its first Director of
Clinical Services.
1998
· SAGE hosts the first National
Conference on Aging in the Gay and Lesbian
Community –bringing together researchers,
service providers and activists from across the
U.S., Europe and Asia.
· SAGE programs serve over 1,300 people
in 1998.
1999
· SAGE is featured in a full-page ad in
the New York Times.
· SAGE forms the first Department of
Education and Advocacy solely dedicated to LGBT
aging
· Assistive Housing for Elderly Gays and
Lesbians in New York City – the most extensive
research to date on this subject – is published
by SAGE.
· SAGE hires its fourth social worker in
response to a 50% growth in demand for its
clinical services.
· SAGE’s exhibit – “Village Elders”
begins multi-city tour.
2000
· SAGE hosts second National Conference
on Aging in the Lesbian and Gay Community.
· SAGE’s Group Services grows to over 100
socialization and educational opportunities
offered each month.
· United Way holds up SAGE Neighbors as a
model program for the elderly, offering
neighborhood-based support services to community
bound LGBT seniors where they live.
· SAGE receives City Council grant to
plan the first full-service center anywhere
dedicated to LGBT senior services and advocacy.
2001
· SAGE becomes one of just 12
organizations in North America – and the only
LGBT organization – to receive the prestigious
SHARE Award for Innovation in Aging
· SAGE’s exhibit, “Village elders,” is
displayed during June pride month at AARP’s
Washington DC’s headquarters.
· SAGE programs serve over 2,000 people
in 2001.
2002
· SAGE keynotes first European conference
on LGBT aging
· SAGE expands its community organizing
work into Harlem and The Bronx
· The Proceedings to SAGE’s national
conference are published
· As a result of SAGE’s advocacy work,
the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) adds sexual
orientation non-discrimination language to its
accreditation process for assisted living and
nursing homes nationwide
2003
· With support from the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation, SAGE launches Faith-in-
Action to galvanize lgbt-affirming communities
of faith around the care giving needs of LGBT
seniors.
· SAGE publishes its results from the
first-ever national needs assessment and
technical assistance audit on LGBT aging in the
United States
· SAGE completes and unveils No Need to
Hide – No Need to Fear: A Training Program About
Inclusion and Understanding of LGBT Elders, a
comprehensive protocol to create safe havens in
selected nursing homes and assisted living
facilities nationwide.
· SAGE receives $600,000 from the New
York City Council towards the establishment of
the SAGE Center for LGBT Senior Services and
Advocacy
Benefits
Flex time is permitted for most employees