SAGE LGBTQ seniors group hosts Chicago reception

The National Board of Directors of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) held a meeting in Chicago at the Wyndham Grand Hotel June 9-10. SAGE and Friends hosted a reception June 8 at the Penthouse of the Wyndham.

SAGE Executive Director Michael Adams and the members of the board were joined by Chicagoans who care about issues impacting LGBTQ seniors. Three board members are from Chicago: Chuck Middleton (former president of Roosevelt University), Phil Lumpkin and Roy Wesley.

Adams spoke about the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case just a few days earlier, noting that more than 85 percent of elder care facilities in the U.S. are operated by religious organizations. About 48 percent of LGBTQs report discrimination in senior housing.

Adams emphasized the work SAGE is doing across the country including educating staff in nursing homes and other facilities about the best way to have equal care and inclusion of LGBTQ residents. Adams said SAGE has trained more than 33,000 caregivers thus far.

Jackie Boyd of The Care Plan in Chicago spoke about her company’s work in providing services and training, including her work as a SAGE trainer. She said there is a huge gap in services, with hundreds of facilities just in the Chicago area that need this sensitivity training.

Board member Lumpkin presented the SAGE award to Bill Moran of Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.

Jim Obergefell, from the Obergefell vs. Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality, was also at the meeting, because he sits on the SAGE board.