SAGE Maine Announces Merger with EqualityMaine

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2019

SAGE Maine Announces Merger with EqualityMaine
 
The Board of Directors of SAGE Maine, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer older adults, is pleased to announce its merger with EqualityMaine, the state’s leading advocacy group working for full equality of LGBTQ people in Maine.
 
SAGE Maine, an affiliate of SAGE USA, has been advocating with and on behalf of LGBTQ elders on a local, state and federal level since 2013. Founding board member and current co-chair, John Hennessy, said that he initiated discussions with Matt Moonen, Executive Director of EqualityMaine, over a year ago to explore the idea of the two organizations merging.
 
LGBTQ older adults in Maine have demonstrated a real and growing need for the advocacy and services beyond what SAGE can deliver as a largely volunteer-managed and operated organization. The EqualityMaine board has affirmed their commitment to that same population by agreeing to the upcoming merger. SAGE Maine is very well established in the aging network including the Maine Area Agencies on Aging, Maine Council on Aging and many other leading providers of services. Our presence in the community has been very warmly received,” Hennessy said.
 
EqualityMaine’s Board President, Michael Coon, spoke of the tremendous opportunity of this strategic merging and the potential for greater statewide impact in the future. Coon participated in national advocacy work with SAGE earlier this year and was impressed with the scope and focus of the affiliate network.
 
SAGECARE, a program that educates and raises awareness about the needs of LGBTQ older adults in the aging service provider network, is a terrific program. We look forward to working with SAGE volunteers and certified trainers to bring that important program to every corner of the state,” Coon said.
 
Matt Moonen explains the mission of EqualityMaine is to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration, and that this mission absolutely includes LGBTQ older adults. “We see the merger with SAGE Maine as a natural extension of our work and look forward to continuing the relationships that SAGE Maine has established across the state with members of our community and the providers and networks that support us. We all hope to have care and support as we age, and we’re grateful to take on that work here in Maine.”  

For more info about the merger, visit the SAGE website HERE.

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