Attending the 2025 ASA On Aging Conference in Orlando was both inspiring and grounding. I arrived at the Hyatt Regency on Sunday, April 20 — the atmosphere felt more reflective, with a calmer pace than in past years. While the energy was different, the spirit of the conference remained strong, with meaningful conversations and deep engagement continuing throughout the week. especially for those of us working in advocacy for diverse older adults, the spirit of support was still present — maybe more important now than ever before.
The Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) was represented on two panels this year. Our first, “Strategies to Fight Ageism and Inequities in 2025,” was held Wednesday, April 23rd. It featured Denny Chan from Justice in Aging and Aaron Tax from SAGE and our very own National Director, Didier Trinh. It was a timely and sobering conversation about how policymakers are targeting already-marginalized communities — especially LGBTQ+ older adults and immigrants — through executive actions centered on massive funding and programmatic cuts coupled with inflammatory rhetoric around diversity, equity, and inclusion. The cost of these policies isn’t just political. It’s deeply personal. And this session made that clear.
That same evening, the DEC hosted a dinner with some of our member organizations – NHCOA, NICOA, and SAGE – which has always been the highlight of my ASA trips. In the midst of a tense political climate, it was powerful to sit together in solidarity. These moments of connection — away from the barrage of news headlines — are where so much of our collective strength comes from. These moments are what makes the Diverse Elders Coalition great.
This brings us to Thursday, April 24th, when we had our second panel, “Needs-Based Advocacy for Diverse Family Caregivers: Shaping Inclusive Policies,” which provided further clarity and purpose. With Billie Tohee (NICOA), Pedro Lima (NHCOA), Aaron Tax (SAGE), and Didier Trinh (DEC) on stage, the conversation highlighted how family caregivers from all backgrounds — Native, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ — face overlapping yet distinct challenges. People were listening. People cared. It showed the true power of storytelling.
Another standout from the conference was the SAGE exhibition booth, which was a hub of energy. Attendees stopped by not only to learn more about SAGE and the Diverse Elders Coalition, but to express their support — or to share their own caregiving stories and experiences as LGBTQ+ older adults or allies. That kind of authentic engagement felt especially meaningful given the external political tensions and internal pressures felt at the conference. It was a reminder that even when spaces feel uneasy, the need for visibility, community, and advocacy never goes away.
On a personal note, it was moving to see how far ASA RISE has come. As a member of the inaugural 2022 cohort, watching this fellowship grow — and watching emerging leaders of color continue to rise in this space — filled me with pride and hope. Even amid uncertainty, we are still building something powerful. Slowly but surely, ASA RISE is building a community of leaders that is ready to advocate on behalf of diverse older adults and family caregivers.
Looking back, ASA On Aging 2025 was about unity and resilience. Every conversation, every panel, every handshake, every hug or story shared at the booth reminded me that we’re not going away. We’re showing up. Still.
And in times like these, that’s what matters most.