Jonathan Lovitz

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Jonathan Lovitz
Born (1984-07-19) July 19, 1984 (age 41)
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Alma mater University of Florida
Organization Human Rights Campaign
TitleSenior Vice President, Campaigns & Communications
Movement LGBT rights movement
SpouseSteven Sosna

Jonathan D. Lovitz (born July 19, 1984) is an American policy advocate, former actor, and non-profit executive.

Contents

Early life and education

Lovitz was born in Atlantic City to a Jewish family and grew up in southern Florida, attending Broward County Public Schools. [1] During this time he also attended Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts summer camp. [2] He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 2006. [3]

Performance career

Lovitz performed in the national touring productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar from 2006 to 2008. [4] After moving to New York City in 2008, Lovitz worked in regional theaters and began taking small roles on television.[ citation needed ] In 2011 Lovitz joined Logo TV as an on-air interviewer for LGBT issues, as well as one of the hosts of Setup Squad . [5]

Public service and advocacy career

Lovitz joined the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce in 2015 as Vice President of External Affairs and Director of nglccNY; [6] he has served as Senior Vice President since 2016. [7] At the NGLCC, Lovitz oversaw media relations and public policy initiatives focused on the LGBT business community. [8] As head of the NGLCC advocacy division, he led the efforts to write, lobby for, and implement policies for the inclusion of certified of LGBT- and other minority-owned businesses in the public sector, including in the State of New Jersey; [9] Los Angeles, CA; [10] Chicago, IL; [11] Miami, FL; [12] Orlando, FL; [13] Nashville, TN; Baltimore, MD; [14] Seattle, WA; [15] and Jersey City, NJ. [16]

In 2022, Lovitz ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 182nd district, [17] representing Center City Philadelphia. [18]

In February 2023, President Joe Biden appointed Lovitz [19] as Director of Public Affairs & Senior Advisor at the US Economic Development Administration within the US Department of Commerce. [20] He led communications and public policy strategy to implement the agenda of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo. [21]

In 2025, Lovitz joined the Human Rights Campaign as Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications. [22]

Personal life

Lovitz lives in Washington, DC with his husband, CBS News meteorologist [23] Steven Sosna. The two were married in New York City in October 2017 in a ceremony officiated by Jim Obergefell, Supreme Court marriage equality plaintiff in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case. [24]

Out Magazine named Lovitz to the 2023 OUT 100 List [25] of "artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people."

Select filmography

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2008 CSI: NY Paralegal(TV Series), 1 episode: "Page Turner"
201116th & 8thSam(TV Series), 1 episode
Setup Squad Jonny(TV Series), 10 episodes
1 Girl 5 Gays Self(TV Series), 1 episode: "Episode #2.29"
2012Broadway.TV [26] Host(Web Series) 14 episodes
Red Carpet NetworkHost(Web Series) 11 episodes

References

  1. ↑ Schurr, Arthur (Winter 2024). "Born Actorvist". Diversity Professional.
  2. ↑ "Jonathan Lovitz: On Finding His Voice and Using it to Promote LGBTQ Empowerment - Profiles in Pride". January 26, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  3. ↑ "From captivating audiences to engaging communities | News | College of the Arts | University of Florida". arts.ufl.edu. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  4. ↑ Bernstein, Jesse (April 28, 2021). "Activist, Former Actor to Run for State House - Jewish Exponent". Jewish Exponent. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Review: Does Logo (Finally) Have Another Reality Hit with "The Setup Squad"?". newnownext.com. Retrieved February 25, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "NGLCC selects Lovitz to lead external relations and NY subsidiary". Affinity Magazine – Innovative. Successful. Loyal. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Jonathan Lovitz Transitions to NGLCC Advisor - NGLCC". nglcc.org. April 19, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Diversity Professional Winter 2024". magazine.diversityprofessional.com. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Office of the Governor | Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Enabling State Certification of Businesses as LGBTQ+-Owned". www.nj.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Duffy, Brandon (July 26, 2019). "LA becomes largest city in US to formally include LGBTQ businesses in contract process worth billions". CNBC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  11. ↑ Byrne, John (January 14, 2020). "Lightfoot-backed study to look at possible set-asides for gay-, transgender-owned Chicago businesses advances". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  12. ↑ "NGLCC | MIAMI BECOMES LARGEST CITY IN FLORIDA TO INCLUDE LGBT BUSINESSES CERTIFIED BY NGLCC | nglcc.org". www.nglcc.org. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  13. ↑ "NGLCC | Orlando to Become First City in Florida to Include LGBT Businesses Certified by NGLCC | nglcc.org". www.nglcc.org. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  14. ↑ Cohn, Meredith (November 21, 2018). "Baltimore mayor issues order recognizing LGBTQ-owned businesses". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  15. ↑ "LGBT-owned businesses to get boost from King County". The Seattle Times. July 7, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Mayors of 2 NJ cities sign orders to include veterans, disabled and LGBT businesses". newjersey.news12.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  17. ↑ "PGN Endorsement for 182nd House District: Jonathan Lovitz". Philadelphia Gay News. May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Philly LGBTQ activist Lovitz announces candidacy for Rep. Brian Sims' Pa. House seat". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Appointee - Jonathan Lovitz - Biden's Basement". Inside Biden's Basement. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  20. ↑ Kane, Christopher (February 14, 2023). "Former NGLCC staffer joins Commerce Department". Washington Blade. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  21. ↑ "EDA Leadership". U.S. Economic Development Administration. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ "HRC Adds Jonathan Lovitz and Amy J. Peña to Senior Leadership Team". HRC. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Steve Sosna - CBS Baltimore". CBS News. March 14, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Jonathan Lovitz, Steve Sosna". The New York Times. October 9, 2017. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  25. ↑ "The 2023 Out100: Jonathan Lovitz". out.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  26. ↑ Getting Kinky with the creatives/cast of KINKY BOOTS on Broadway , retrieved August 15, 2023
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