Coming out is often portrayed as a rite of passage for LGBTQ+ individuals, yet for many, the journey unfolds not in youth, but in the later chapters of life. Whether prompted by cultural shifts, personal growth or the weight of long-buried truths, coming out later offers unique challenges and triumphs.

That’s where MIGen LGBTQ+ Elder Network comes in.

MiGen, formerly SAGE Metro Detroit, has emerged as a beacon of support and connection for LGBTQ+ adults aged 45 and older in Michigan.

“At MiGen, we believe in vibrant, authentic lives at any age, safe spaces, and connected communities,” said Kat Hutton, MiGen’s program director.

The organization’s transformation from SAGE Metro Detroit to MiGen was pivotal.

“The national organization, SAGE, changed their affiliate structure a couple of years back, shifting to a collaboration-based model. While we’re still deeply connected with SAGE, everyone outside New York and Florida had to change their name,” Hutton said.

This transition allowed MiGen to reimagine its identity and align its services with the evolving needs of Michigan’s LGBTQ+ older adult community.

Hutton highlights the timing of this rebranding as ideal for MiGen’s growth.

“We’d already transitioned from a volunteer-based model to an employment-based model, significantly expanding our services,” Hutton noted.

Today, MiGen offers a range of programs, from case management and basic needs support to social opportunities. Resources, from information on renters’ rights and legal issues to caregiver guides, are available. The organization’s core values of authenticity, mutual well-being, and belonging are at the heart of its mission, shaping everything from internal operations to community interactions.

Hutton said LGBTQ+ individuals often face challenges that extend beyond those typically encountered by the broader aging population.

“We start at age 45 because, unfortunately, folks in our community tend to need assistance sooner than average senior services can provide,” she said.

These challenges include access to affirming health care providers, housing security, food ac

cess and social isolation.

“When folks come to MiGen, it’s often because they have a basic need that hasn’t been met elsewhere,” Hutton said. The organization’s services address these gaps through community navigation programs, assistance with public benefits, transportation to medical and social events, and more. For example, volunteers may accompany individuals to medical appointments to ensure they feel safe and heard.

“People who come to us may not have an affirming health care provider and they don’t know where to turn. Or maybe their landlord is giving them trouble, and they need some help figuring out their rights and how to protect them. Or maybe they’re just looking for a friend or someone to listen to them,” Hutton said. “And so we have a really robust array of services to assist with that.”

Health care access is a particularly significant issue. Many older LGBTQ+ adults carry the trauma of the AIDS crisis and decades of discrimination.

“A lot of folks avoid necessary health care because of fear of discrimination,” Hutton said. “MiGen’s role in connecting individuals with affirming providers and advocating for their rights is vital.”

Social isolation further exacerbates the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ elders. “Our community members are far less likely to have children or long-term partners,” Hutton notes. “This often leads to precarious caregiving situations, such as two 80-year-olds trying to care for each other.”

MiGen combats this isolation through programs that foster connection, such as friendly caller initiatives that pair older adults with volunteers for regular social interactions.

MiGen’s reach extends throughout Michigan, including rural areas into the Upper Peninsula.

“We work with partners like UPCAP, the Area Agency on Aging in the Upper Peninsula, to ensure support is available statewide,” Hutton said. “This deep partnership model ensures that even residents in remote locations can access resources and affirming environments.

“It’s really been wonderful to be able to do what we do and help everyone in the state come along with us. So, we have an advisory committee of 12 senior service providers and LGBT centers throughout the state. We convene together once a month to talk about these issues, to talk about what it means to serve LGBTQ+ older adults and to help each other do that better,” Hutton said. “We feel it’s really important to be a convener of both senior services and LGBTQ-serving organizations to ensure we’re all working together towards the same goal.”

In addition to direct services, MiGen’s training and education initiatives amplify its impact. The organization has credentialed 11 organizations this year, a process that goes beyond training to evaluate policies and practices to ensure they are affirming and inclusive.

“Credentialing is about ensuring organizations’ benefits, nondiscrimination policies and physical spaces are welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals,” Hutton said.

The stories of individuals who have found new hope through MiGen illustrate the organization’s profound impact.

“I have one client in particular that always comes to mind when I think about why I do this work. She is a bisexual woman in her 80s living in isolation in northern Oakland County. When she first connected with MiGen, she was socially withdrawn, spending most of her time alone in her home,” Hutton said. “But her barriers weren’t what people might expect. It was as simple as not having a bra, which made her feel uncomfortable going out.”

MiGen addressed her needs holistically, helping her with practical support like bra shopping and connecting her with friendly callers and affirming community spaces.

“When she came out of that dressing room, she was glowing,” Hutton said. “Over time, this woman became deeply engaged in her community, attending events, connecting with an affirming church, and even organizing her living space. Her caregiver told me she’s unrecognizable from a year ago. She’s a completely different person.”

MiGen’s work relies on the support of volunteers and donors. Opportunities to contribute include facilitating social events, participating in the friendly caller program, or helping with behind-the-scenes tasks like research and outreach.

“Volunteering can take many forms,” Hutton said. “Whether it’s making weekly phone calls or assisting at events, every contribution makes a difference.”

The organization also hosts events to celebrate and uplift the LGBTQ+ community, such as its annual senior fashion show in Detroit in the spring.

“Events like these allow our folks to be seen, heard and celebrated in ways they don’t always experience,” Hutton said.

MiGen’s work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves to age with dignity and connection.

“Our goal is to ensure that every organization in Michigan is a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals,” Hutton said. MiGen continues to transform lives and build a stronger, more inclusive community by addressing immediate needs, fostering partnerships, and advocating for systemic change.

For those interested in supporting MiGen, whether through volunteering, donating or attending events, the organization offers a variety of ways to get involved. More information can be found at migenconnect.org.

“All we can do is take care of one another the best we can,” Hutton said. “And at MiGen, we’re doing just that.”