Twilight years less lonely for New York's LGBTs

[DriftingCrow]

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/15/twilight-years-lesslonelyfornewyorkslgbts.html
Author: Michelle Chen Source: Al-Jazeera America

For New York City's gay and gray community — the first generation of openly LGBT Americans to grow old — an advocacy organization that's nearly as old as the LGBT-rights movement itself is bridging long-standing gaps. Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE) has two community centers targeting different populations: the main center, which opened early last year in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood and serves seniors from across the city, and a smaller satellite location in Harlem.

SAGE's model is sensitive to the needs of LGBT elders in small ways that nonetheless make a big difference, avoiding missteps commonly seen at mainstream facilities. Intake interviews don't feature assumptions about husbands and wives, the walls aren't decorated with posters featuring only smiling heterosexual couples, and transgender elders are called by their preferred pronouns. And staffers make it clear that there is no prejudice against clients with HIV.

[gennee]

I have attended some SAGE events and find it a very welcoming and relaxing environment. I will become more involved as time permits me. As a senior citizen, I am happy that a place like SAGE is here and much needed.

[eshaver]

I'm a member of S A G E here in Richmond Virginia . I'm always happy to be a guest speaker regarding our needs in hospital or Nursing home situations . hey, I've already experienced being in BOTH as a patient ................. ellen

[Lisatrans69]

Hi  This Lisa, It's wonderful for you to share about becoming older women! I had "medical parent's" Dad a Doctor, Mom an NP and they recognized my belief I was a girl like my older sister Claire by the time I was 5! I grew up in San Francisco, and wearing one of my sister's smaller dresses and panties, playing dolls. I loved being understood, and after assessment (one of many) by 6 I could just be a regular girl (almost). I was allowed to even enter school as the little girl I really was; except for the birth defect. At 22, five years post-op, and many medicines, I was chemically stoppped producing testosterone, and had estrogen and progesterone - the combinations helped me develop breasts a little after my girlfriends! At 22 I'm a B-cup; and a pre-med in USC! I always loved being female, and a boyfriend named Brad (he was my second, first was a 'test', you know?) I'm grateful to women like you who braved the path for us 'girl's' with the birth defect of male genitals, that can be corrected so well now! My Dad was involved just as an advisor in my genital correction, but I have easy orgasms, proud of my young woman life, and agian thank you. I will follow my Mom too as an example. My parent's helped me, and accepted me as a girl. I wish more people today would. Thank you, Lisatras69   

[Jamie D]

Fight on!