October 21’s filing by GLAD before the Maine Human Rights Commission, challenging a long-term care facility’s refusal to admit a transgender elder, underscores the need for Congress to pass comprehensive LGBTQ+ civil rights protections. SAGE released the following statement, calling on Maine senators to protect LGBTQ+ elders:
"No one should be refused care because of who they are or whom they love. It is past time to pass the Equality Act, which would explicitly bar discrimination against LGBTQ+ elders and others in housing, employment, public spaces, jury service, credit, and federally funded programs.
Thankfully, LGBTQ+ elders in Maine are protected under state law and we believe that GLAD’s client will get justice. However, LGBTQ+ older people remain at risk in the 28 states that do not have legal protections from discrimination. We call on Senator Collins and Senator King to help ensure that LGBTQ+ elders across the nation have the same access to civil rights protections as they do in Maine."
Yesterday’s filing by @GLADLaw challenging a long-term care facility’s refusal to admit a transgender elder undersc… https://t.co/ZPxkzxCQ3y— SAGE USA (@SAGE USA) 1634921223
ABOUT SAGE
SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ+ elders, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and cultural competency training through SAGECare. With staff located across the country, SAGE also coordinates SAGENet, a growing network of affiliates in the United States. Learn more at sageusa.org.