On Friday, November 17, NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for LGBT Elders) held their annual Gala. The event was dubbed NOAGE goes on Safari and was held at the Audubon Zoo. Roughly 150 people attended the Gala.
In addition to food, music, and a live auction, the event also featured the presentation of two awards. Liz Simon was given the Trailblazer Award and Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain were given the Community Impact Award (accepted on their behalf by Misti Gaither).
New Orleans Advocates for LGBT Elders (NOAGE), a 501(c)3 nonprofit 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.
The unique challenges faced by LGBT older adults require a unique response. NOAGE hosts socialization/ educational events for LGBT older adults, and works to increase the cultural competency of providers through trainings and workshops. To schedule a training, click HERE to contact us by email.
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, respect, and good health that they deserve.
According to NOAGE Executive Director Jim Meadows, “LGBT older adults are more likely to live alone, to live in poverty, to feel isolated, and to lack a caregiver. Many of them go back into the closet when entering long-term care facilities for fear of being mistreated by staff and their peers. NOAGE is working to combat these and other disparities by providing cultural competency trainings to healthcare professionals, and social events for LGBT older adults and younger LGBT people who want to establish friendships with those who made LGBT liberation possible. The success of the gala is a testament to our community’s increased understanding of the problems facing our elders, and their willingness to support them. We are thrilled with the turnout, and everyone had a great time.”
