Cynthia Diao

Cynthia Diao is the Harlem Outreach Worker at Services& Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older people. SAGE Harlem provides services, information, referrals, programming, educational presentations and social activities in a safe space for older LGBT residents of Harlem. Cynthia leads programming for older women of color in Harlem and surrounding areas in addition to providing community outreach in the historic Harlem neighborhood. She also participates in numerous education efforts to share the experiences of LGBT older adults of color with community leaders, members and organization staff. An older adult herself, Cynthia was recognized in 2010 as an outstanding SAGE volunteer before joining the SAGE Harlem staff.

In addition to her role at SAGE, Cynthia is an employee of New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) where she manages daily operations and administration work. She has been with NYCTA for over 25 years. In 2010, Cynthia became an ordained interfaith minster with the goal of making religious institutions more inclusive of LGBT people. She is an accomplished artist using arts as a tool for healing.

Cynthia has three children and is a proud grandmother to eleven beautiful grandchildren.