LGBT Aging Addressed at National Conference Held Here
BY: COLIN MURPHY – SENIOR WRITER
ST. LOUIS, MO - The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) gathered in St. Louis for their annual conference over the July 17 weekend where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) aging took center stage, Saturday afternoon.
A special pre-conference session, "Coming of Age with LGBT Elders" was presented by a panel of LGBT and aging experts representing SAGE USA and SAGE affiliates from Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis; The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, as well as Area Agency on Aging staff from California, Missouri, Minnesota, and Utah.
"This training truly represents the LGBT Aging Movement and the support we are gaining from older adult service providers at local, state and national levels who have not traditionally provided direct outreach and service to LGBT older adults," said Sherrill Wayland, Executive Director of SAGE Metro St. Louis. "When we speak of LGBT equality, it is important to realize that older adult services are a critical component of equality and access for LGBT older adults."
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are funded through the Federal Older American's Act with offices in regions across the United States and serve as key entry points for access to older adult services in the community. Over 40-professionals in aging from across the United States attended this training with the primary focus on assisting AAA's and other aging organizations with gaining knowledge on LGBT aging and creating greater access to services for LGBT older adults.
"It was exciting to hear about the partnerships AAAs from across the country are forming with LGBT service providers," stated Anneliese Stoever, Information and Assistance Coordinator for St. Louis Area Agency on Aging. "The session was educational for AAAs just beginning these conversations and for AAAs that have been actively reaching out to LGBT community members for years. Personally, it was rewarding to learn that our local SAGE Metro St. Louis is at the forefront of programming for LGBT Elders. I look forward to continuing these conversations at future n4a Conferences.”
