Getting old is never easy, but for gay and lesbian seniors, aging can be fraught with additional fear and isolation. That's where Michael Adams comes in. Adams, MA '90, JD '90, has been executive director since 2006 of the New York-based nonprofit SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). As the longest-running organization in the country serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender seniors, SAGE has worked since 1978 to ensure that seniors aren't forced back into the closet in their golden years. More than 3,000 members benefit from programs ranging from home visits and book clubs to legal advice and advocacy. Corinne Purtill, '02, talked with Adams about his work.
What are some of the issues facing gay and lesbian seniors?
LGBT seniors are four times less likely to have adult children, and adult children in our country are the primary caregivers for elderly people. It causes a lot of problems not to have that support. It can lead to isolation and vulnerability.
The other set of problems unfortunately comes from discrimination in the senior service world and the retirement world. It's not dawning on [service providers] that gay seniors even exist.
What kinds of challenges have SAGE members encountered?
In one instance, an elderly woman told us that a home care attendant had figured out that she was a lesbian based on pictures of her partner in her house. [The assistant] took out her Bible and started telling her that it was a sin to be a lesbian, and she needed to repent before she died or she would go to hell. People have called social workers and asked them to take down the photos of their partners in their homes so that the home care assistants won't figure it out.
Are you noticing any trends in the aging gay community?
The life experience of each generation of LGBT people is so different from the generation before it. Many of the older seniors we serve now came of age when it was dangerous to be gay. Now we are seeing the first wave of baby boomers start to enter their senior years. The boomers came of age post-Stonewall [the 1969 riots that sparked the gay pride movement], when the notion of gay rights was really coming into its own. The boomer generation in the LGBT context embraces its identity more readily, and is accustomed to demanding fair treatment. The boomer generation still doesn't have many kids, but the next generation after that—folks who are in their 30s and 20s—are having kids.
What are some of SAGE's goals for the future?
Making sure that the same kind of programs and support that exist for LGBT people in New York City exist across the country. Obviously, we live everywhere.
It's a national shame and embarrassment that our public policies surrounding aging issues completely ignore LGBT people. Some of the most important government benefits for seniors are based on marriage. Gay seniors are at a terrible disadvantage. Social Security survivor benefits, spousal benefits—that often makes the difference between whether seniors are going to get by financially or not. These kinds of things that are fundamental are denied to gay and lesbian seniors, and that's got to be addressed.
What drew you to SAGE?
I'd been working in gay rights for a number of years, but SAGE is special to our whole community. I first went to the gay rights parade in New York City in 1984. SAGE has a trolley in the parade every year. I'll never forget that, seeing all these gay and lesbian people waving their canes out the window. It was really moving.
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Can you give examples of discrimination against SAGE clients?
A gay man went to a senior center in New York for lunch. He was sitting at a table with a bunch of people who were talking about the things they did over the weekend with their spouses and friends. He mentioned that he and his partner went to a movie. Two of the women told him that was disgusting, they didn't want to hear about it, and if he was going to talk about [his partner] he should find somewhere else to eat lunch.
What kind of reactions do you get from senior service providers when you approach them about caring for GLBT seniors?
It's a range of reactions. We certainly have service providers who are receptive. Some service providers respond that they don't have any gay people, so “thank you, but no thanks.” Occasionally you find overt hostility, but that's rare. Usually it's either welcoming or a lack of understanding that [they have gay senior clients]. If you're serving a certain number of people, you likely have some gay seniors.
What do you consider the most important service that SAGE offers its members?
The range of services that we offer to address social isolation. Isolation is a huge problem for our constituents as they get older. We offer social activities and parties, book groups, trips to the opera, and all that. For homebound seniors, a volunteer will visit a senior once a week.
What about transgender clients?
We have a very small number [of transgender clients]. We still have work to do to understand the needs of that particular senior population.
Does SAGE educate straight seniors about their gay peers?
We have done some programs like that at senior centers here in New York. Those programs have gone pretty well. We're just starting our first discussion groups for gay seniors and affirming seniors—seniors who aren't gay, but who want to be supportive of their gay colleagues. There can be resistance; there are certainly still biases to be dealt with. But we've seen that with the opportunity for conversation, a lot of progress can be made.
