Those of Color Hit Hardest; AARP NY, AARP Foundation & SAGE to present Disrupting Disparities: Solutions for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers Age 50+
WHAT: More than half a century after Stonewall launched progress for the LGBTQ+ population, nearly a third of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are over the age of 50 – yet many still face countless disparities accessing inclusive mental and physical health care, experiencing social isolation, and maintaining economic security, according to a new, first of its kind report.
WHEN: January 28, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Via Zoom: https://aarp-org.zoom.us/j/98918528773?pwd=V0pIY29lRzBMTklCYk9ScGZseDdPdz09
WHO: Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President, AARP Foundation
Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director
Michael Adams, CEO, SAGE
Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Senior Advisor & National LGBTQ+ Liaison, Multicultural Leadership, AARP
Matt McMorrow, Statewide Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office
NYS Senators Brad Hoylman, Rachel May (Aging Committee Chair), and Jabari Brisport
NYS Assembly Members Harry Bronson (former Aging Committee Chair), Dick Gottfried (Health Committee Chair), Ron Kim (Aging Committee Chair), Danny O’Donnell and David Weprin.
WHY: The Stonewall generation fought for LGBTQ+ rights, but this rapidly growing elder population still faces disparities rooted in discrimination, a lack of legal and social recognition, a reliance on chosen family, reduced access to inclusive services, and other social barriers to health and well-being.
While LGBTQ+ older people are resilient, these and other unique challenges have severe negative health, economic, and social implications that demand action.
This new report includes an array of policy and legislative solutions that can serve as a roadmap for elected officials and policymakers primarily at the State but also at local levels of government – as with AARP New York’s launch of the Disrupt Disparities initiative in January 2018, Disrupt Disparities 2.0 in January 2020 and Disrupt Disparities 3.0 in November 2020.
Contacts: Christina Da Costa (SAGE), 917-553-3328, cdacosta@sageusa.org; Erik Kriss (AARP New York), 518-360-9213, ekriss@aarp.org
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SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ+ elders, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and cultural competency training through SAGECare. With staff located across the country, SAGE also coordinates SAGENet, a growing network of affiliates in the United States. Learn more at sageusa.org.
