On Friday, January 23, 2015 I attended the NOAGE launch party at the New Orleans Healing Center. They had a great crowd of supporters for this worthwhile new group. Guests enjoyed food by Fatoush while sipping wine and listening to some great jazz music. This incredible new organization formed in the Crescent City is geared toward gay seniors. NOAGE is poised to make much needed strides dealing with issues facing our community as we grown older. NOAGE stands for the New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders and has formed an impressive board of directors and committee to tackle issues facing the elderly.
The organization was created from a steering committee of concerned residents and older adult service providers to address the challenges facing LGBT older adults in the New Orleans area. LGBT older adults often face discrimination when seeking medical treatment, have a higher rate of poverty, are sometimes isolated after the loss of a significant other, and often feel the need to go back into the closet when living in a long term care facility. Modeled after SAGE New York, NOAGE partners with existing organizations that currently provide supports and services and helps tailor existing programs to meet the needs of LGBT older adults. NOAGE also works to increase the cultural competency of providers through trainings and workshops facilitated by NOAGE volunteers.
As advocates on behalf of the LGBT older adult community, NOAGE is committed to ensuring that all LGBT older adults can live their best lives with the dignity and respect that they deserve. In a youth driven society, the elderly in general tends to be forgotten by many. Those in the LGBT community face a unique set of challenges, such as lack of retirement facilities that are gay friendly or having no biological family to help out with informal care-giving, either through estrangement or being childless.
There are some private retirement facilities targeted at the gay community but such residences are very expensive. So I am excited about this NOAGE, I for one will not only volunteer my time but be an avid supporter. It is our community; we need to take care of everyone in it. For more information, go to www.noagenola.org.