SAGE, an organization for LGBT seniors, is currently conducting a survey of LGBT adults in the Atlanta area to find out what their needs and wants are for housing.
To take the survey, click here.
It takes about 10 minutes to complete and questions include if people want to live in a inclusive facility, one that includes LGBT and heterosexual residents; if one prefers to live in their own home but have services provided; how much people are willing to pay; as well as age and health needs.
Doug Carl, known for his community work on issues facing gay elders, has won a federal lawsuit alleging he was passed over for a Fulton County job because he is white and male.
A federal jury ruled Carl deserves $300,000 in back pay, the Atlanta Journal-Constiution reported today.
Carl served as Fulton County's deputy human services director. In 2010, he retired when his job was cut, according to the AJC. Carl had sued five years ago alleging that he applied for a position as a director but was passed over because the county, including Commissioner Emma Darnell, wanted to hire a black woman.
"Its been long five-year journey. It sounds cliche, but when justice prevails it's an amazing feeling.I'm ready to move on," Carl said in an interview with GA Voice. Carl now works with the state Division on Aging and teaches competency training on LGBT issues to healthcare and others who work with LGBT aging citizens.
"I feel complete vindication. It's been a long five-year journey to justice and I've never felt like relief like this before," he said.
The county plans to appeal.
Here's more from the AJC on the case, which the county disputes:
Aging is a part of life that many LGBT people are apprehensive about — and for good reason. As it stands now, LGBT aging adults have little infrastructure to support the unique challenges they face. The Atlanta chapter of SAGE — Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders — hopes to change that.
SAGE Atlanta is a nonprofit dedicated to aging adults in the LGBT community. The group just launched a schedule of weekly meetings, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays at the Rush Center.
Doug Carl, program director for SAGE Atlanta, notes that LGBT elders face a variety of issues, including access to healthcare, financial stability and social isolation.
SAGE Atlanta is hosting a community forum on Sunday, May 22, at the Phillip Rush Center for a webcast with other activists to discuss ways to meet the needs of elderly LGBT people. The forum begins at 2:30 p.m.
SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), a national organization with 20 affiliates across the nation including the newly formed Atlanta affiliate, will be broadcasting a live meeting online from the New York LGBT Center to screens at the Phillip Rush Center.
Participants in Atlanta will have a chance to watch the meeting along with other affiliates and take part in a national conversation to learn about what SAGE is working for in its mission to finding ways to meet the needs of aging gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.