Jim Obergefell Honored at 20th SAGE Awards & Gala

Yesterday, SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders), an organization that serves the aging LGBT population, held its 20th Annual Awards and Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City. The event raised a record-breaking $775,000 and honored Stephen Simcock of JPMorgan Chase, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Ted Snowdon & Duffy Violante and the Macquarie Group. Edie Windsor, the plaintiff whose case struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, was also on hand to present Jim Obergefell, whose case established marriage equality across the country this summer, with the inaugural LGBT Pioneer Award.

Michael Adams, SAGE's chief executive officer, set the tone, saying:

"SAGE is honored to present our first-ever LGBT Pioneer Award to Jim Obergefell. Jim's courage and persistence led the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that his love for John Arthur was no less than that between two heterosexual spouses. Jim and John's story also started a national conversation about LGBT caregivers and surviving partners, whom SAGE is committed to serving through support programs and policy work. "

Upon receiving the honor, Obergefell said:

"As I accept this award, I am humbled to be at the forefront of the ongoing LGBT equality movement. Our hard-fought victory for marriage must propel the LGBT movement even further, towards full inclusion and equality for our entire LGBT family. I would like to thank SAGE and my fellow co-honorees as we begin this next chapter."

For more information on SAGE and the services they provide, visit their website.