LGBT culture in New York City New York, geared toward the LGBT community, is located in Hell's Kitchen. Brooklyn is home to a large and growing number of same-sex couples. Same-sex marriages in New York were legalized on June 24, 2011 and were authorized to take place beginning 30 days thereafter. The Park Slope neighborhood spearheaded the popularity of Brooklyn among lesbians, and Prospect Heights has an LGBT residential presence. Numerous neighborhoods have since become home to LGBT communities. Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, Queens, are focal hubs for the transgender community of New York City. Astoria has an emerging LGBT presence. Queens is also becoming a
Jefferson Heights, New York York State Route 23 is a four-lane highway through the northern part of Jefferson Heights, leading east to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge over the Hudson River and northwest to Cairo. Interstate 87, the New York State Thruway, runs along the northwest border of Jefferson Heights, and Thruway Exit 21 (Cairo – Catskill - NY Route 23) is in the northern part of the CDP. Albany, the state capital, is to the north by the Thruway, and New York City is to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Jefferson Heights CDP has a total area of