It's never easy to narrow down the many extraordinary individuals in our Out & Proud community — but each year, we rise to the challenge.
Out & Proud 2025
Carla Thomas is a scholar of medieval literature, a fierce advocate for queer education, and the current director of Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Jasmen Rogers is a force for equity, visibility, and transformation.
When Rae Jenae moved to Miami from New York in 2017, she was looking for lesbian-centered events and came up empty. So, she created her own. What began as an Instagram directory quickly turned into a nightlife empire. Her first event at Sidebar in 2018 drew more than 700 people, and she’s been curating queer nightlife ever since.
Mike Sanders is many things: a transmasculine, nonbinary former titleholder in the leather scene, a political activist, and a fierce believer in building a chosen family. As the organizer of American Brotherhood Weekend (ABW), a leather family and contest that’s been running for over 30 years, Sanders helps carry on a legacy of community, kink and care. Contestants compete in categories like speech, interviews, fantasy, and wear.
His smile is bright, and his energy is boundless. You see him at city hall, all over Wilton Manors, and working to keep things rolling during major events.
Danna Davis is a storyteller with a purpose. As Executive Producer and Co-Founder of Mary It’s Mary Productions, she specializes in crafting compelling narratives that illuminate diverse experiences — from the struggles of LGBTQ youth and the triumphs of queer artists to the challenges faced by transgender individuals.
For Nathan Smith, being out and proud is nothing short of a “blessing.”
David Sexton has a simple message for anyone feeling demoralized in today’s political climate.
More Articles …
Page 1 of 5
