Fritz Lohman and Charles Leslie and four other outstanding contributors to our GLBT world were honored on Monday, October 30, 2006 at the Eleventh Annual SAGE Awards. Subtitled "Out Then & Now," this event is SAGE’s biggest fundraising effort, generating approximately one-third of its private fundraising revenue.

Incorporated in 1978 as Senior Action in a Gay Environment by a group of seniors, social workers, gerontologists, and activists in the lesbian and gay community, the name later morphed into Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders—SAGE. The organization is the world’s oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender senior citizens. SAGE’s mission has four goals—to improve the overall quality of life for GLBT seniors; to support and advocate for the rights of GLBT seniors; to foster a greater understanding of aging in all communities; and to promote positive images of GLBT life in the later years. SAGE fulfills its mission by providing direct and supportive social services, social and recreational activities, and community building programs throughout New York City, and education and advocacy programs both locally and nationally. SAGE’s 20 staff members, three senior Peer Leaders, and hundreds of volunteers serve 2,000 GLBT seniors each month, including the homebound and those with HIV. All SAGE programs are offered at low or no cost and without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, income, race, ethnicity, age, physical ability, or language.

The evening’s dinner awards ceremony was held at the the Battery Park Ritz-Carlton with special musical guest Melba Moore and a silent auction with artwork from the private collection of Charles Leslie and Fritz Lohman.

The awards, presented by Kate Clinton and several other presenters, went to the following:

Fritz and Charles received a Lifetime Achievement Award for their tireless commitment to LGBT art and artists, and for founding the Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation. It was noted that they have been life partners since 1962 and each began collecting GLBT art even before they met.

Dr. Renee Richards received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her pioneering championship of human rights as one of the first transsexual role models in the United States. Her career as a professional tennis player brought media attention to her unique position as a transsexual athlete, and she was regarded as a trailblazer by many in the GLBT community. Dr. Richards has had a long and distinguished career as an ophthal-mologist and has devoted her medical career to the understanding and treatment of eye muscle disorders.

The SAGE Community Service Award was presented to Jayne Sherman and Henry van Ameringen for countless years of commitment and service to GLBT community development and philanthropy. As Co-Chairs of In The Life, America’s long running GLBT magazine show on PBS, they are committed to the future of the show and its ability to change minds and enhance lives. Their vision is to share the reality of GLBT life in all its aspects.

Amy Ashworth received the Ken Dawson Advocacy Award for her decades-long fight against homophobia through her years of work with PFLAG. She was executive director of the New York City Chapter from 1977 through 1998 and was co-founder of the Westchester chapter in 1978. Her outspoken concern for the well-being of the GLBT community, their friends and families, has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of many.

Kudos to all!

Allen G. Payne is Director of Development, SAGE.