SAGE praises bipartisan LGBT aging bill introduced in Congress

From a SAGE press release

(Washington, D.C.) - The Inclusive Aging Act was introduced April 12 by Senators Bob Casey ( D-PA ). Michael Bennet ( D-CO ), and Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ), This bipartisan legislative proposal aims to support inclusive aging and sexual health care services for older Americans while specifically addressing the unique needs of LGBT older people.

If passed, the first-of-its-kind bill would, among other things, ensure that LGBT elders have access to much-needed aging services and supports, permanently establish the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, and create an Office of Inclusivity and Sexual Health in the Administration for Community Living.

The office would facilitate data collection on LGBT older adults, issue funding opportunities that would support older LGBT people-including a rural outreach grant program to connect rural LGBT older people with services and supports-and promote the adoption of policies across federal programs to help address the specific needs of LGBT elders.

"SAGE thanks Senators Michael Bennet, Lisa Murkowski, and Bob Casey for taking this critically important step to address the unique needs of LGBT older people, especially those suffering from severe isolation because of who they are or where they live," said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. "Many LGBT elders face high levels of discrimination and barriers to accessing services and care. Although there are a variety of federal programs designed to assist them, none are specifically designed to provide equal access to services for LGBT older people. This legislation would change that," said Adams.

Adams singled out Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski for her strong leadership in providing bipartisan sponsorship for the legislation. "In an era when there is too little bipartisan cooperation, we express our deep gratitude to Senator Murkowski for her visionary leadership in making the well-being of all elders-regardless of who they are and whom they love-her highest priority," said Adams.

SAGE is the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) older people.