WHAT:
On Monday, October 27, 2025, SAGE, the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ+) elders, will host its annual SAGE Awards & Gala. This evening will highlight our support for the well-being of LGBTQ+ elders and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the supporters, community partners and activists who are making a lasting impact on the lives of older LGBTQ+ people.
The year’s event will be emceed by ALOK, an award-winning musician, DJ, and record producer. ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor. They are the subject of the docu-short “ALOK” executive produced by Jodie Foster and directed by Alex Hedison, which made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. On screen, they can also be seen in Complicated Order, The Trans List, and Absolute Dominion. On television, they can be seen on Sex Lives of College Girls, Sort Of, Random Acts of Flyness, Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, Gender Agenda Comedy Special, and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.
During the evening, SAGE will introduce new CEO Lynn Faria and honor outgoing CEO Michael Adams with the Ken Dawson Advocacy Award. This will be Michael’s final SAGE Awards & Gala as CEO. During his 20 years of leadership, SAGE has grown in size, scope, and impact. SAGE’s training and education programs now directly benefit 500,000 LGBTQ+ elders across the country. SAGE has the country’s only National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging. In 2020, SAGE successfully advocated for Congress to amend the Older Americans Act to prioritize LGBTQ+ older people; and SAGE has successfully advocated for important LGBTQ+ inclusion in laws and policies across the country.
SAGE will also honor Bill T. Jones with the Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award to commemorate his lifelong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and pioneering career Bill T. Jones is a Tony Award-winning multi-talented artist, choreographer, dancer, theater director and writer. He is the Artistic Director, Co-Founder, and Choreographer of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company and Artistic Director of New York Live Arts.
SAGE will also honor ViiV Healthcare with the Corporate Advocacy Award. As the only global pharmaceutical company 100% dedicated to HIV medicines and research, ViiV Healthcare is transforming the HIV treatment and prevention landscape with the first long-acting injectable medicines and is committed to making deep, lasting investments in communities most impacted by the HIV epidemic. In support of this mission, ViiV’s Positive Action Community Grant program has championed community-led and based organizations to ensure that no person living with HIV is left behind.
WHEN: Monday, October 27, 2025, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Ziegfeld Ballroom, 141 W 54th Street, New York, NY
WHO:
- Michael Adams, Outgoing SAGE CEO and Recipient of the Ken Dawson Award
- Lynn Faria, New SAGE CEO
- ALOK, Host
- Bill T. Jones, Recipient of the Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award
- ViiV Healthcare, Recipient of the Corporate Leadership Award
- Ronald Johnson, SAGE Constituent Speaker
For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit the 2025 SAGE Awards & Gala registration page.
Please email [email protected] for media inquiries.
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ABOUT SAGE:
At SAGE, we envision a world where LGBTQ+ elders are valued, have limitless opportunities, and thrive. Since 1978, we have led the way in advocating for policies, services, and resources that empower LGBTQ+ elders to live openly and authentically. Our dedicated team members work nationally and globally to protect our rights, build health and longevity, and preserve the vibrancy of our community as we age. Each one of us has a place to create a bright and vibrant future for the LGBTQ+ community as each one of us lights the way for the next generation to follow. Learn more at sageusa.org.
