SAGE survey about LGBT seniors

[Zerbie]

The organization "SAGE" is circulating a survey about future direction for their organization. They are a group working on behalf of LGBT senior citizens.

Here's the link to their home page, and you can navigate to the survey from there.

Danny, ya listenin'? This seemed up your alley.

http://www.sageusa.org/

[Vanessa White]

I just did the survey. I need to know more about services for older LGBT also; I am getting up there!!!

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

The organization "SAGE" is circulating a survey about future direction for their organization. They are a group working on behalf of LGBT senior citizens.

Here's the link to their home page, and you can navigate to the survey from there.

Danny, ya listenin'? This seemed up your alley.

http://www.sageusa.org/

Well.....long story short, hubby did some of his internship for his LMSW at Hunter College this past Fall with SAGE. It is an organization which has been around since 1976 and has been slow in developing. The current director is making an effort to create a unified network of SAGE organizations across the country as well as a Resource Center at the NYC office for this purpose.

A worthy endeavor.

And in talking with hubby, I learned this: the aging GLBT person has particular issues to deal with that the straight population does not. Of course, there is the matter of aging itself. But for gay man especially, this is a big problem. And let's remember one thing, there is some truth in the stereotype of men: they are loath to ask for directions when driving. This kind of mentality impacts the aging gay senior. While organizations such as SAGE exist to serve them, gay seniors can be hard to serve/locate because they can isolate themselves- as all older people can....but in this case....especially so....since gay men...in particular feel as though they are not longer in the 'game' of life....and in their depair.....opt out of it. It's a problem without a easy solution. And lesbians? Well....they can be even more invisible.

What should also not be forgotten is that the current GLBT senior came of age long before Stonewall, that is, if one is in one's 70's and 80's. They have lived most of their lives in the closet. Younger GLBT people? It may be easier to reach them as they enter their 'sage' years simply because of societal changes.

What all this in mind, my sense is that the current director's goal towards greater outreach is a huge - and necessary- step forward and should be supported with our words and wallets.

[BenL]

I took the survey ... almost. I exited when it insisted that I tell them whether I would be likely to give, how much I make and where I live. I tried to enter just the state, but they wanted the community, too. It turned into a fundraising tool, and I felt used. Sorry, but that's not a survey on what I think about senior services for glbt folks. It felt more like a money grab.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by BenL

I took the survey ... almost. I exited when it insisted that I tell them whether I would be likely to give, how much I make and where I live. I tried to enter just the state, but they wanted the community, too. It turned into a fundraising tool, and I felt used. Sorry, but that's not a survey on what I think about senior services for glbt folks. It felt more like a money grab.

I'm sorry you felt that way, Ben. I didn't think of that possible response. I took the survey, and I happen not to have donated to SAGE (at least not yet), and I just told them so. I also told them what would make me more likely to donate.

I think that a lot of the survey was geared towards figuring out what would draw out more support (read: financial) for their organization, and I think they are wise to ask those questions. Why shoot in the dark if you can simply ask?

Sorry it irritated you.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Daniel

But for gay man especially, this is a big problem. And let's remember one thing, there is some truth in the stereotype of men: they are loath to ask for directions when driving. This kind of mentality impacts the aging gay senior. While organizations such as SAGE exist to serve them, gay seniors can be hard to serve/locate because they can isolate themselves- as all older people can....but in this case....especially so....since gay men...in particular feel as though they are not longer in the 'game' of life....and in their depair.....opt out of it. .

I had no idea this was an observable pattern. It happened to someone I love. I thought his story was unusual.