SAGE’s “Strength Across Generations” highlights intergenerational connections in the LGBTQ+ community
[New York, NY] SAGE, the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, launched its latest initiative, “Strength Across Generations,” in honor of Pride Month. This initiative connects LGBTQ+ artists and elders for a candid conversation about strength and community throughout LGBTQ+ history and the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. These conversations and the elders’ insights became the inspiration for a custom piece of art, then gifted to the elder at the project’s end.This year, SAGE was inspired to support community members who have been most impacted by the pandemic – both LGBTQ+ elders and independent artists. “Strength Across Generations” provides more than just custom artwork celebrating people who are part of LGBTQ+ history. It has also shaped intergenerational relationships within the LGBTQ+ community, built on mutual respect and a unique connection. Through these meetings, both generations offered their insights – honoring progress made in the past and steps needed to continue moving forward in the future.
“I love the idea that people from all races and generations can come together and actually be themselves. I love Pride,” said SAGE participant Diedra Nottingham. “I couldn’t hold my girlfriend’s hand in the 70s and 80s. We couldn’t walk down the street. It was terrible. We’re much stronger now.”
“When I think about strength, especially during the pandemic, I think about resiliency. To me, strength and community go hand in hand,” said Tailz, a multimedia artist from Brooklyn. “In some instances, the only way to grow stronger as a person is to grow as a community and strengthen your bonds with the people around you.”
These conversations were held virtually or in an outdoor area, socially distanced and fully masked. To view the artwork created through this initiative and learn more about the participants, visit Strength Across Generations on SAGE’s website or SAGE’s Instagram account.
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SAGE is the world’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.
