New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr honored six New Yorkers at his Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Pride celebration at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Center on Thursday, June 10 .

“I am confident that the journey we’re on will lead us to the day when all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression will enjoy the same rights and opportunities,” Thompson said. “Because now that the door is open, there is no going back. In working towards that day, we know that we have a long way to go. As we move forward, let us draw inspiration from those in the past who refused to be invisible. Let us continue the legacy of those who dared to question the predominant beliefs of the day, and who stood up for justice and equal opportunity. And let us fight the fight in our own lives, in the work that we do, in our communities, in our cities.”

The distinguished honorees are: Richard D. Burns, Executive Director, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center; John Tartaglia, Tony Award-nominated Actor, Avenue Q; Barbra Ann Perina, Community Activist; Vivian Rodriguez, President, GOAL-New York and Detective, NYC Police Department; Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Commissioner, HIV/AIDS Bureau, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; and Gary English, Executive Director, People of Color in Crisis, Inc.

The Metropolitan Community Church Choir performed at the event