No specific neighborhood on Staten Island attracts the growing LGBT community, but a St. George community center aims to unite the borough's queer population. NY1’s coverage of Gay Pride Week continues with the following report by Borough Reporter Amanda Farinacci.

St. George is far from a hub for Staten Island's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. But in a borough where that community has only recently started to become more vocal, it's the perfect spot for the home of the Staten Island LGBT Center.

“We asked in the survey where they would like to see that center located,” said Marianne Brennick of the LGBT Center. “Where they felt it would be best located so that people could use it effectively, people could get to it easily, and it would be in a community that was inclusive and welcoming. And pretty much overwhelmingly it was decided that St. George, which is the downtown area of Staten Island - would be the best spot.”

The center officially opened in May after the island's LGBT community demanded for a place to congregate with like-minded people without leaving the borough.

Because the Island is in many ways remote, there aren't many places to congregate. Unlike the other boroughs, there are no specific neighborhoods where the LGBT community can comfortably reside.

“There's no particular place because we're not recognized,” said resident Richard Lugero. “But it's getting much better as it goes on and we're getting more established and hopefully in the next few years it's going to even get better and better.”

The center offers a variety of programs for those just coming out, and for those well-accustomed to the challenges of being a LGBT community member. There's a focus on health and safety, peer support and disease prevention. While many say they initially come to the center for those services, they come back for a different reason.

“It's amazing to see how many gay youth that are out there who weren't able to come out and that the only way to express themselves was to get off the Island, and [now] that this center is here, they're able to come here and express themselves and just be safe, here, on the Island,” said peer counselor Ezekiel Rodriguez.

Though the center has only been open for a month, there are already plans to expand, including increased mental health services and a new computer center.

Organizers are hoping the center can keep up with the borough's ever-growing LGBT community.

- Amanda Farinacci