SAGE- We refuse to be erased. We refuse to be invisible.

SAGE condemns Trump administration plans to erase transgender people

The New York Times reported this week that the Trump administration is considering a drastic move to strip away the rights of transgender people by creating an extremely narrow federal definition of gender. The proposed change would narrowly define gender as male or female, unchangeable, and determined by the genitals that a person is born with, which would eliminate anti-discrimination protections for transgender people. Such a decision to eliminate anti-discrimination protections would have a devastating impact on transgender elders, who already face numerous barriers to health care, housing, and fair treatment under the law, according to “Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults,” issued by SAGE and the National Center for Transgender Equality. Rolling back these safeguards could put the lives of transgender elders in jeopardy by enabling health insurers, hospitals, clinics, and any other entities that receive federal funds to deny essential care. SAGE’s CEO Michael Adams said: “We are outraged by this senseless, bigoted attack on transgender Americans. This latest move by the Trump administration is an affront to core principles of fairness and would fall hardest on transgender people who are old, young, people of color, and most at the margins.” This heartless attack is the latest in a string of efforts by this administration to erase and silence transgender people. As we have in the past, SAGE will vigorously fight this proposal until we succeed.” Read the full statementand share on Facebook.

Local LGBT protections crucial as federal government continues to support anti-LGBT policies While the federal government attempts to erase transgender people, municipalities like New York and Washington, D.C. are taking up the mantle of protection. In a significant step forward for transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary New Yorkers, on October 11, at the Edie Windsor SAGE Center, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio signed groundbreaking legislation to add a third gender option on birth certificates. Many transgender advocates and allies attended this watershed bill signing, including New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray, and actor and activist Asia Kate Dillon. Watch the bill signing and read SAGE’s press release on the event. The District of Columbia has also taken a significant step forward for LGBT elders and people living with HIV. As a result of SAGE’s advocacy, D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh introduced first-of-its-kind municipal legislation to better protect and support LGBT elders and older people living with HIV in the District of Columbia. If passed, this legislation could provide a template for other localities to adopt similar provisions for protecting older LGBT people under the Older Americans Act. While modeled after pieces of state legislation in Massachusetts and California, this legislation would go a step further in establishing a cultural competency training requirement and a bill of rights for LGBT elders and people living with HIV in long-term care. If passed, it would make D.C. the first jurisdiction in the nation to provide these supports and protections. Read SAGE’s comments on Councilmember Cheh’s bill.

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Inspired Aging Panel October 30, 2018, 7-9 PM | Grey Advertising, 200 5th Avenue, NYC We are all getting older. And, in our community, we know that LGBT folks want to age with purpose, passion and grace -- the same qualities that we bring to everything we do. On Tuesday, October 30 from 7 pm to 9 pm, join like-minded LGBT peers and leading experts for a panel on how to age well, covering topics like aging in place, law, finance and sex. Let’s be inspired together! Register today. SAGE Table November 8, 2018 | Nationwide Host or join a meal and have a conversation on November 8 with your LGBT friends and allies of all ages in our national friend-raiser: SAGE Table. Toys Party December 9, 2018 | Chelsea Piers, New York, NY SAGE's annual party is back and better than ever! Save the date and get ready for the LGBT community's best holiday event. Tickets go on sale 11/14!