BUFFALO, N.Y. – GLYS WNY Inc. a local nonprofit organization that serves LGBTQ+ youth, will be holding the 40th Anniversary GAYLA on Tuesday, October 17th 2023, at the Powerhouse in Buffalo from 5:30-8:30. The event is to honor friends and allies in our community, celebrate our supporters for the year, and share the impact of their support on GLYS programs. This year’s GAYLA, proving itself a success, will bring together nearly 350 of the region’s supporters of LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

GLYS Western New York Inc. is dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ youth, ages 5-21 in all eight counties of Western New York. GLYS provides a positive environment for LGBTQ+ youth to learn more about themselves through peer interaction and educational experiences. Through GLYS outreach, other agencies learn about and increase their sensitivity to the needs of gender and sexual minority youth. GLYS also assists youth and their families by providing resources and referrals for emotional growth.

Each year, at our annual GAYLA, GLYS celebrates the community that makes our outreach and youth programming possible through their support and donations. We hold an award ceremony that honors members of the community that have supported GLYS and its mission. This years Honorary Chair is Becky Burke, Head Coach of the University at Buffalo Women’s Basketball Team, who has become a national figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Other award winners include: Hamburg Village Trustee Holly Park, the Buffalo Niagara LGBTQ+ History Project, Rebecca Buell (Alden High School), Diana Patton, Rin Parrack and Nikolai Cherkis.

“With rising levels of discrimination and hate for LGBTQ+ communities throughout the country, it’s more critical than ever to come together and show our support of our local LGBTQ+ youth,” says Executive Director Jack Kavanaugh. “Showing them that there is a community that sees and cares about them–it makes a world of difference.”

Learn more about GLYS WNY Inc. at www.glyswny.org

Contact: Leah Hess

development@glyswny.org | 716-218-0648