SAGE recently announced a public education campaign that uses striking images of fierce and fabulous LGBT older people to illustrate both the vitality and unique needs of this population.

Dubbed “(in)visible?” the campaign launched with billboard ads in Times Square, online, and on social media. It shows vibrant images of LGBT elders, illustrating their resilience while shining a light on the disparities they face. Despite pervasive discrimination throughout their lifetimes, the LGBT elders pictured in the campaign refuse to be invisible.

The photos are a collaboration with the popular brand Advanced Style. Featuring pictures of fashionable older people, Advanced Style is run by Los Angeles-based photographer Ari S. Cohen.

SAGE, the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older people, recognizes the advances the LGBT movement has made thanks to our elder pioneers. They are the ones who stood up and fought back at the Stonewall uprising 50 years ago, an event that was celebrated last month in New York City, along with PrideNYC and WorldPride.

“Everyone needs compassion and companionship as they age,” said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. “LGBT elders face unique challenges. They are twice as likely as their heterosexual peers to be single and live alone, and four times less likely to have children to care for them.”

Said Adams, “Like everyone, LGBT elders need some support as they age.” But LGBT older people also face unique challenges that stem from decades of discrimination, including housing, income, and health disparities. This campaign seeks to shine a light on the stories of resilient LGBT elders.

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SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT elders, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBT community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT 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.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Diverse Elders Coalition.