Social work has the primary goals of causing social change and empowering groups in societies. The field seeks to improve equality among the members of society and push for minority groups to access their rights. Usually, even though states and the federal government have laws that protect the different groups, systematic issues cause some groups to fall through the cracks and remain disadvantaged. Therefore, social workers must collaborate with other stakeholders to lobby and cause necessary changes. Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) is among the organizations that advocate for elderly gay people’s rights. The organization that runs in South Florida aims to connect senior homosexual people with the services they need to help them against the challenges that they face. SAGE is among the organizations that social workers can work with to advance senior gay/lesbian people’s rights in the locality.
According to the organization’s website, it aims to enrich senior gay/lesbian people’s lives through inclusivity. SAGE is open to people regardless of gender, sex, age, religion, or nationality. Therefore, all gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are covered. One role that SAGE plays is advocating for the target group and referring them to the resources they need to improve their dignity and comfort. It also grants scholarships for social measures that can be used to improve the education and welfare of gays/lesbians. According to the interviewee, the nonprofit also improves senior gay/ lesbian people’s social support by promoting intergenerational communications and interactions. Sage meets its responsibilities by organizing education that covers the elderly people’s needs, creating social events, and maintaining contact with gay and lesbian people who are homebound because of health and age-related issues that are common among them.
One of the issues that elderly gay/ lesbian and bisexual seniors encounter is isolation. Elderly people in the US generally face isolation that causes them loneliness. Usually, the seniors are left at home with very little to no social support. Homosexual and bisexual seniors are even more at risk because they are more likely to not have children and other social connections that their heterosexual peers enjoy. For instance, usually, they do not have children. Additionally, they face discrimination based on their sexuality. Their sexuality is also sometimes frowned upon by churches and other religious organizations. Therefore, they are excluded from connections to both their families and communities. Therefore, they are usually left exposed to mental health issues that develop from low social support. For instance, they have increased chances of anxiety and depression. Gay/lesbian seniors usually need help connecting to other people. Therefore, several organizations like SAGE have stepped up to organize social events.
Gay/Lesbian seniors also face health issues that result from their age and sexuality. As already discussed, mental health issues like depression and anxiety stem from their exclusion by their communities and families. Therefore, they are left vulnerable. However, as people age, they also face increased risks of physical conditions too. For instance, aging results in an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. They also face higher chances of vascular and metabolic disorders. However, because of age limitations, gay/lesbian seniors have lesser access to treatment and care. For instance, because of their age or nationality, some seniors may lack care because they do not have insurance and cannot afford it out of pocket. Gay seniors also have higher chances of having HIV than their straight peers. Therefore, they need more care and access to drugs. However, because of systemic discrimination in the healthcare system, the members usually face higher health risks than others.
SAGE uplifts the senior gay/ lesbian seniors through its various programs. It organizes several events and initiatives enabling seniors to interact with others and themselves. For instance, SAGE hosts the Saturday lunch and learn sessions monthly. The events include members of SAGE and their visitors having lunch together at low prices. The organization invites speakers from government agencies and other stakeholders during the lunches. They speak on the issues that affect gay and lesbian people, like HIV/AIDs medication and programs, security, and healthcare insurance. Such events enable people to network and learn where to get various services and the general state of their affairs. There is also the Co-Ed Drop-Ins. The meetings on Thursdays via Zoom enable people to discuss policy and welfare to improve members’ lives. The Drop-in sessions happen every afternoon. The sessions happen on different days of the week. Various groups like men, women, and others meet via Zoom and in person to educate and meet each other.
There are also some purely social meetings that SAGE organizes for gay and lesbian seniors. For instance, to organize movie theater presentations. They involve showing movies that cover sexuality themes and others for entertainment and networking. SAGE also hosts the Bereavement Support Group. The group is a collaboration with SunServe (SAGE of South Florida, 2023). It lets gay, lesbian, and bisexual people attend meetings with their kin. The meetings include various people who help each other through their loss. It is essential, especially for the senior who have lost their partners and need social support. SAGE also organizes the SAGE Night Outs. The nightouts involve members and guests who hang out and drink together to have fun. The night outs enable the seniors to have fun and connect with their peers and families. Inviting guests aims to connect to other people and spread love.
The success of the organization and its program is measured based on the number of gay/lesbian and bisexual seniors it reaches. According to the website, although the body started with only ten members, it currently has about 300 active members (SAGE of South Florida, 2023). therefore, it has grown from when it started to its current size. It also reaches more people than it did in the past. The increased membership is one area of success that the organization and its members can be proud of. Measuring the attendance of the different activities also shows whether or not SAGE is failing or succeeding. The different lunch meetings, night outs, and theaters enable members to connect with other gay and lesbian seniors and help each other through their issues. They also involve education. Hence, when many people attend, SAGE reaches more people. Success can also be measured based on the policy advocacies that succeed. SAGE aims to ensure that Florida policies favor gay/lesbian and bisexual seniors. The laws should improve healthcare accessibility and reduce systemic discrimination. The success of the group’s advocacy campaigns shows the group’s influence and its successes or failures.
So far, the group has been effective in meeting its goals. From the increased membership, SAGE South Florida has attracted more members, reaching more gay and lesbian seniors. Through its direct approach of organizing events and frequent meetings, the group improves members’ chances of socializing. It keeps them engaged and reduces the effects of isolation. Also, the education sessions that happen direct people to resources like HIV care and social resources that are available (SAGE of South Florida, 2023). Therefore, it has been relatively successful. However, more can be done. The membership should increase more to cover the gay and lesbian people. SAGE can better meet its goals by including more communication with social workers.
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The interview was held via a phone call between the organization’s current president, Patrick Vida, and me. I asked why SAGE was created, and he delved into its short history and mission. According to the leader, SAGE was created by ten gay and lesbian members who had seen the isolation that homosexual seniors go through. The primary aim was to create connections and social support for them. Therefore, as the website shows, SAGE now organizes various activities for members and other people. It is also inclusive for people from all cultures and races. Therefore, it does not seclude straight people. The president said that the scholarships and meetings offer education and connections for members and their communities to improve their lives.
References
SAGE of South Florida. (2023). SAGE of South Florida. Retrieved from SAGE of South Florida: https://www.sagewebsite.org/
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