Brian Ellicott-Cook (SAGE) testifies on LGBTQ veteran programs and impact

All right, Brian, please begin when you're ready.

Probably the only council member who's ever said my last name correctly.

Good morning, Chair Moreno, members of the Committee on Veterans.

My name is Brian Ellicott-Cook, and I serve as the Director of Government Relations at SAGE, the nation's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ plus older adults.

I am also a proud member of a Marine and FDNY family, and my connection to this work is deeply personal.

I previously led SAGE Vets, our program serving LGBTQ plus veterans, and it remains one of the highlights and most meaningful parts of my career.

Sage strongly supports Intro 914, previously by Chair Holden.

It needs some work and amendments, and I'm happy to talk to you about that more, but I want to save my testimony for the subject at hand.

And we very much support Intro 928 from Councilmember Carr to establish an LGBT plus liaison in the Department of Veterans Services, both critical steps towards visibility and equitable support.

At SAGE, we serve LGBTQ plus veterans age 50 and older across New York City.

Over the past year alone, we have hosted 118 programs with more than 4,000 attendees, demonstrating not just participation, but consistent engagement for veterans seeking connection and support.

But the real impact in the...

Is in the lives behind these numbers.

And I'm going to read a couple of testimonies of those veterans.

One veteran, JL, a 57-year-old Navy veteran, came to us experiencing trauma and discrimination during his service.

Through our program, he found both practical support, like helping navigating discharge upgrades and creative writing group, where he was safely able to process his experiences.

He shared that for the first time, he has had a space where he could fully express himself, both as a veteran and an LGBTQ plus person.

Another person known as Mr.

I is a 78-year-old Army veteran living with Parkinson's.

Came to us facing harassment in his housing.

We supported him in securing safe housing, stabilizing his situation.

Through our nutrition and wellness program, he was able to better manage his health, and he is consistently telling us how important it is to be in a space where he feels respected and affirmed.

And Mr.

L., an 84-year-old veteran, came to us during a period of profound grief after losing his partner.

Through our weekly support groups and community outings, he has found connection again, describing the experience as grounding, restorative during one of the most difficult times of his life.

These stories show what's possible when LGBTQ plus veterans are met with consistency, dignity, and culturally responsive care.

We are proud of what Sage Vets has built, but more importantly, we are proud of the veterans we continue to show up for and support one another and rebuild the community.

There's a lot more data in my longer testimony, but I appreciate your time.

Thank you, Brian.

Well done.

Amelia, if I can call you Amelia, I hope you don't mind the first name.

No problem.