Finally, older gay men and lesbians have a place in the city just for them. The SAGE Center, possibly the nation's first gay senior center, officially opened its doors at 305 Seventh Avenue yesterday. The center gives older gays a place of their own to do everything including eating, socializing, take classes, see nurses, dance and even do yoga, without feeling stigmatized.
The SAGE Center, a part of SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trandgender Elders), will serve as many as 130 meals a night for $2 (for those over 60) or $4 (for those under 60) as a big part of its services. It will also help visitors figure out their medications—important as it estimates that one-fifth of its clients are living with HIV or AIDS.
Though the center officially opened yesterday, it has actually been serving meals for the last month and the men and women the center is intended for already seem pleased. "When you find yourself alone at 77 and you've built your life around another person, you are at somewhat of a loss as to where to go next," explains a 77-year-old retired jewelry salesman who started going to bereavement counseling at SAGE's offices after his partner of 50 years died. "SAGE filled that gap."
At yesterday's opening City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, arguably the most powerful gay official in the city, spoke with emotion about the opening. "Save us a chair," she told the crowd, referring to herself and three other openly gay Council members in attendance. "We can't wait to be here someday ourselves."
