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If you see him, you can’t miss him. With his signature beard and on-point jewelry game, Marc Martorana is very recognizable - and he gets recognized everywhere.
It’s never easy to narrow down the many incredible individuals in our LGBTQ community to just one list — but we’ve done our best.
OutSFL is honored to share these stories and celebrate the remarkable people featured in this year’s list.
You’ll read about folks like Don D'Arminio, a dedicated commissioner in Wilton Manors who consistently gives back to the community; Maxx Fenning, a dynamic Gen Z change maker; Donna Weinberger, who is making strides in tackling addiction within the queer community; and Ximena Dipietro, a trailblazing transgender student and activist.
These are just a few of the inspiring individuals we’ve highlighted. Be sure to explore the full list.
What makes these people truly significant isn’t just that they are LGBTQIA — it’s their accomplishments, their dedication, and the impact they’ve made. They embody the spirit of being Out & Proud, serving as role models not only for our community but for future generations. They remind us that we are no longer on the sidelines; we’re front and center, leading the way.
I hope these stories inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me.
Welcome to the 2024 South Florida Out & Proud list, a celebration of activists, business leaders, organizers, and more — individuals who are out, proud, and making a difference in our local LGBTQ community and beyond.
Jason Parsley, Publisher
Thank you to all of our writers who worked on the Out & Proud list.
Project Managers
John Hayden & Mary Rasura
Writers
Denise Brown • Kim Swan • John McDonald • John Hayden
Mary Rasura • Amancio Paradela • Deon C. Jefferson • Jesse Monteagudo
Check out our list below:
Bree-Anna Obst - The Theatre Maker
Stephen Kitsakos - The Operatic Visionary
Ximena Dipietro - The Trans Christian Activist
Von Biggs - The Advocate for the Underserved
Tom Lander - The Fighter for Queer Youth
Terry Dyer - The Agent of Change
Steven Butterman, Ph.D. - The Educator of LGBTQ Topics
Stephen Tendrich - The Prostate Cancer Awareness Advocate
Ryan Young - The Talk of the Flock
Ryan Thompson - The Night Runner
Robert Cole - The Public Service Patron
Q-Mitch Jones - The Benevolent Showman
Nicole Halliwell - Mrs. Go-Getter
Michelle Santos - The Protector of Youth
Michael Goodman - The Publicist
Maxx Fenning - The Gen Z Change Maker
Maxine Lemarr - The Musical Lesbian Thespian
Marc Martorana - The Generous Kitchen Maestro
Lali Safavi - The Lesbian Publisher
Kim Blandon - The Community Organizer
Karen Kelley - The Preserver of LGBTQ History
Justin Jones - The Peace Preacher
John Mather & Ryan Maloney - The Social Butterflies
Jenn Stefanacci Portier - The Entrepreneur
Jason R. Hughes - The Art Champion
Edward Otto Zielke - The Melodic Marketer
Edward Summers - Supporting Homeless Youth
Douglas Houghton - Trailblazing Nurse Leader
Donna Weinberger - The Addiction Recovery Advocate
Don D’Arminio - The Commissioner
Diane Pappafotis - The Women’s Community Coordinator
David Jobin - The Philanthropy Leader
Dan Rios - The Brand Ambassador
Chuck King - The King of The Drive
Caridad Moro-Gronlier - The Poet
Avion Goordeen - The Compassionate Cyclist
Auntie Maim - The Audacious Aunt
Alison Burgos & Michelle Alexis Gaber - The Ultimate Power Couple
If you see him, you can’t miss him. With his signature beard and on-point jewelry game, Marc Martorana is very recognizable - and he gets recognized everywhere.
She’ll sing, hold space for you, make you laugh, and just when you thought she was done, she’ll flip drag on its head for her own amusement and yours.
Miami is back for the LGBTQ community, and much of that is due to the work of Edward Summers. He’s nearing the end of his first year as executive director of Pridelines. Over the past few years, its influence and impact were contracting. Since taking the reins, he’s moved the group back into the city and rallied support.
Steven Butterman understands the LGBTQ community on an academic level. He is a tenured professor at University of Miami who works in gender and cultural studies, immigration, the queer diaspora and queer theory.
Maxine Lemarr has been a professional musician, entertainer, and singer for 50 years. She is now retired and serves as the Music Director for Lesbian Thespians, a performing arts group founded and led by women.
Meet Ground Zero, a transgender male and Latinx variety entertainer Palm Beach County. He has built an impressive reputation for being known as "The Cosplay King" due to his standout performances and stellar costumes.
Jenn Stefanacci Portier likes to make things happen. That’s how 22&Co. came into existence when Portier, clad in a tutu, hopped into her mom’s golf cart to deliver birthday greetings around Key West.
For trans activist Liam Lipham, holding space for someone to be their whole self is more than an occupation, it's a duty. Growing up in small town Missouri, Lipham found little room to explore his identity without scrutiny, only to join the Navy’s “SeaBees” Construction Battalion right out of high school during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era.
He’s a leather daddy and a cake daddy and he’s quickly becoming the godfather of Wilton Manors. Chuck King is a leather legend and more, taking his community involvement to the next level.
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