Enbar Cohen, Aventura commissioner: “I am so proud to be part of a community that works tirelessly both politically and socially towards a greater awareness for LGBT youth safety and equal recognition under the law.”

James Cubby, author, South Beach Star: “Gays are no longer afraid of being who they are. Today gays are asking, demanding, and expecting the rights that everyone else enjoys and takes for granted. Gays are not only coming out but are making sure that they are noticed.”

D.J. Pride: “I’ve been out since I was 15, and I’ve always taken pride in who I am. But this is a special time to be gay it feels like I'm watching history unfold right in front of me. We will remember these years as ones of great social change and I counts not be more proud.”

David da Silva Cornell, attorney and activist: "Despite major multi-year efforts still ahead for us on a range of issues (especially including passing an inclusive ENDA), I believe that — thanks to the collective, cumulative efforts of so many out and proud LGBTIQ individuals and organizations and the rapidly growing numbers of our increasingly assertive allies — we have finally lived into one of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quotes: 'Today the question is not whether we shall be free but by what course we will win.'"

Danilo De La Torre, AKA drag queen Adora: “I’m not only proud to be gay, I’m glad. It is the only way I know. Remember happiness only comes when you’re true to yourself.”

Jean Marc De Silva, insurance broker: “It’s really a special privilege to be present during the continued evolution of the LGBTQ community in 2013. I feel prideful seeing the gay youth in the parade. Out, proud and in numbers walking down Ocean Drive, happy as they walk with their "adopted" gay families. That’s who we are fighting for, this year and beyond.”

Daisy Deadpetals, DJ and drag entertainer: “I’m proud that we never back down even with so many obstacles in our way, to get laws changed as we fight for fair & equal treatment. As an artist, I’m also proud to be part of such a wonderfully creative talented group of people who are never afraid to express themselves so colorfully & beautifully.”

Terry DeCarlo, Broward House development director: “I am proud of how the LGBT community has, over the past decade, rallied together, for the most part, to become a cohesive and strong unit. Proud of how our voices are now being raised, and better yet, taken seriously. Proud to see LGBT persons in positions of power, or as confidants to those in power. Proud to see attitudes changing across the country when it comes to gay marriage and gay adoption. But most of all I am proud of those who came before us, fought, and stood up for what they believed in, so that we may be in these situations in 2013.”

Mary Dee, events promoter: “Many people came to Miami Beach for the sun and easy lifestyle, not realizing we were actually building a gay Mecca on America’s Riviera. Now that the LGBT rights movement is global, we are thrilled to come together as a true community to celebrate the past, present and future.”

Rob Delehanty, Stonewall National Museum & Archives board member: “I'm proud that pride parades and festivals are now celebrations rather than marches for rights. It means we have these rights because brave people marched in the streets to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City.”