SAGE 25th Annual Awards Gala (AUDIO)

SAGE the nation’s largest & oldest org dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ elders is celebrating its 25th Annual SAGE Awards & Gala on October 18th in person from 5P to 8P EST at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street in NYC. This year’s honorees include Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health & a longtime champion of elders in the LGBTQ community. They will also recognize the work of Watermark Retirement Communities with the Jack Watters Corporate Advocate Award. Watermark is the first nationwide senior living company to be certified SAGE Care platinum requiring staff across the country to be trained in LGBTQ+ cultural competency to better meet the needs of their LGBTQ+ residents. SAGE will also honor the resiliency of LGBTQ+ elders by highlighting the stories of SAGE community members across the country including long-time constituents Pat & Paulette Martin. They have changed this year’s format from their traditional sit-down dinner to an elegant cocktail affair with passed hors d’oeuvres & plentiful seating to give guests ample opportunity to connect & also remain socially distant. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all in-person attendees. In an effort to make everyone as comfortable as possible the event room will be at 50% capacity & presented in a cabaret-style format. Color-coded wristbands will be available for everyone to denote their social distancing comfort level. There will be plenty of food, drink & celebration of the honorees. In January I was on a press conference call with Dr. Rachel Levine & Winnie Stachelberg, Center for American Progress Executive Vice President, External Affairs who intros Dr. Rachel Levine. LISTEN