WHAT: On Monday, October 22, 2012, Raphael Miranda, weekend meteorologist and weather producer for NBC4 New York, will host the “SAGE Awards and Gala,” to benefit Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE).The SAGE Awards and Gala recognizes and honors individuals and corporations for their efforts to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. This year, SAGE will honor two remarkable leaders: Lilliam Barrios-Paoli and Judith E. Turkel, Esq.  Pfizer is this year’s corporate honoree. This is the 17^th year for the SAGE Awards and Gala.

WHO:Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, the Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) will receive the Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award. Judith E. Turkel, Esq., an active leader in the LGBT community and an attorney in private practice will receive the Paula L. Ettelbrick Community Service Award. The Paula L. Ettelbrick Community Service Award is named after the former SAGE member in honor of her lifetime commitment to advocacy and justice for all LGBT people. Pfizer will receive the 2012 SAGE Corporate Leadership Award for their groundbreaking “Get Old” campaign to encourage and support a dialogue around the notion of getting older and living better.

Other guests include: Host Raphael Miranda (NBC4 New York meteorologist); Dorothy Sander (Board Co-Chair of the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission); Ana L. Oliveira (President & CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation); and SAGE Executive Director Michael Adams.  More to come.

WHERE: Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway, New York, NY

WHEN: Monday, October 22, 2012, 6:00 pm Cocktails, 7:00pm Dinner & Awards Ceremony

SPONSORSHIP: Sponsorship opportunities and tickets can be purchased online at sageusa.org

CONTACT: For more information about the SAGE Awards and Gala, please contact Ector Simpson, Director of Special Events & Corporate Sponsorship, at 212-741-2247 ext. 256 or esimpson@sageusa.org.

PRESS RSVPs: If you are interested in attending the SAGE Awards and Gala, please RSVP to Judy Evans at jevans@sageusa.org or 212-741-2247 ext. 237, by 5 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012.

SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older adults and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provides training for aging providers and LGBT organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City, Washington, DC and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 22 local SAGE affiliates in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more at sageusa.org and lgbtagingcenter.org.