​BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​Local leaders are observing Pride Month by contributing the LGBTQ+ community as $26,000 will be awarded to support the at-risk gay and trans communities and social, health and wellness support services at the Pride Center of Western New York.

Some of the money will also benefit nonprofits such as Upstate New York Black and Latino Pride, Vogue Buffalo and Growing LGBTQ+ Youth Support.

“Often time we talk about, how do we support diversity and inclusion, and the way that you don’t do it is writing a check and saying 'see you later,'” Buffalo Common Council member Mitch Nowakowski said. “You write a check to programming that does the real work in the city of Buffalo. You support programming that takes care of people that are often overlooked.”

About $13,000 will go toward the 2022 Trans Wellness Conference, safety kits and operational costs at the Pride Center.