Jonathan Lovitz

Last updated
Jonathan Lovitz
Lovitz Self Portrait DOC 2023 Aug.jpg
Lovitz in 2023 at US Department of Commerce
Born (1984-07-19) July 19, 1984 (age 39)
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Alma mater University of Florida
Organization US Department of Commerce
TitleDirector of Public Affairs & Senior Advisor, US Economic Development Administration
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

Public service career

In February 2023, President Joe Biden appointed [1] Lovitz as Director of Public Affairs & Senior Advisor at the US Economic Development Administration within the US Department of Commerce. He leads communications and public policy strategy to implement the agenda of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo. [2]

In 2022, Lovitz ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 182nd district, representing Center City Philadelphia. [3]

Advocacy and performance career

Lovitz joined the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce in 2015 as Vice President of External Affairs and Director of nglccNY; [4] he has served as Senior Vice President since 2016 [5] . At the NGLCC, Lovitz oversaw media relations and public policy initiatives focused on the LGBT business community. As head of the NGLCC advocacy division, he led the efforts to write, lobby for, and implement policies for the inclusion of certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) in the public sector, including in the State of New Jersey; [6] Los Angeles, CA; [7] Chicago, IL; [8] Miami, FL; [9] Orlando, FL; [10] Nashville, TN; Baltimore, MD; [11] Seattle, WA; [12] and Jersey City, NJ. [13]

Lovitz had a previous career in the performing arts, including two national touring productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar from 2006 to 2008. After moving to New York City in 2008, Lovitz worked in regional theaters and began taking small roles on television. In 2011 Lovitz joined Logo TV [14] as an on-air interviewer for LGBT issues, as well as one of the hosts of Setup Squad.

Personal life

Lovitz graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 2006. [15]

He lives in Washington, DC with his husband, NBC News meteorologist Steven Sosna. The two were married [16] 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. [16]

Out Magazine named Lovitz to the 2023 OUT 100 List [17] 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 [18] Host(Web Series) 14 episodes
Red Carpet NetworkHost(Web Series) 11 episodes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human Rights Campaign</span> LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is an American LGBTQ advocacy group. It is the largest LGBTQ political lobbying organization within the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization focuses on protecting and expanding rights for LGBTQ individuals, including advocating for same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination and hate crimes legislation, and HIV/AIDS advocacy. The organization has a number of legislative initiatives as well as supporting resources for LGBTQ individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leather pride flag</span> Symbol used by leather and fetish subcultures

The leather pride flag is a symbol of leather subculture as well as kink and fetish subcultures more broadly, including BDSM. The flag was designed by Tony DeBlase in 1989.

National LGBT Chamber of Commerce American not-for-profit advocacy group

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is a U.S. not-for-profit advocacy group that aims to expand the economic opportunities and advancement of the LGBT business community. Its headquarters are in NW in Washington, D.C. NGLCC is the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses known as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs), and advocates for LGBT business inclusion in corporate and government supplier diversity programs. In October 2017, the organization changed its name from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to better reflect the entire LGBT business community it serves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Universalism and LGBT people</span> Relationship between Unitarian Universalism and LGBT people

Unitarian Universalism, as practiced by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC), is a non-Creedal and Liberal theological tradition and an LGBTQ affirming denomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Toy</span> American LGBTQ activist (1930–2022)

James Willis Toy was a long-time American activist and a pioneer for LGBT rights in Michigan.

The Greater Seattle Business Association(GSBA) is an LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce based in Seattle, Washington. The majority of the organization's membership are small businesses located throughout the Puget Sound area. The association's stated mission is "to combine business development, leadership and social action to expand economic opportunities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and those who support equality for all."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in North Dakota</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of North Dakota may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in North Dakota, and same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples; same-sex marriage has been legal since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. State statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in South Dakota</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of South Dakota may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in South Dakota, and same-sex marriages have been recognized since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. State statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT employment discrimination in the United States</span>

LGBT employment discrimination in the United States is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is encompassed by the law's prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sex. Prior to the landmark cases Bostock v. Clayton County and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (2020), employment protections for LGBT people were patchwork; several states and localities explicitly prohibit harassment and bias in employment decisions on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity, although some only cover public employees. Prior to the Bostock decision, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) interpreted Title VII to cover LGBT employees; the EEOC determined that transgender employees were protected under Title VII in 2012, and extended the protection to encompass sexual orientation in 2015.

Austin, Texas, has one of the most prominent and active LGBT populations in the United States. Austin was acclaimed by The Advocate in 2012 as part of its Gayest Cities in America, and was recognized by Travel and Leisure as one of America's Best Cities for Gay Travel. Much of Austin's gay nightlife scene is clustered around 4th Street. LGBT activism groups Atticus Circle and Equality Texas are headquartered in Austin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Miami</span>

Miami has one of the largest and most prominent LGBTQ communities in the United States. Miami has had a gay nightlife scene as early as the 1930s. Miami has a current status as a gay mecca that attracts more than 1 million LGBT visitors a year. The Miami area as a whole has been gay-friendly for decades and is one of the few places where the LGBTQ community has its own chamber of commerce, the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC). As of 2005, Miami was home to an estimated 15,277 self-identifying gay and bisexual individuals. The Miami metropolitan area had an estimated 183,346 self-identifying LGBT residents.

LGBT culture in St. Louis is characterized by a long history of progressive activism as well as racial divisions and the city/county divide. St. Louis city is relatively liberal with multiple gayborhoods and several LGBT organizations. In 2019, Realtor.com dubbed St. Louis the 8th most LGBT-friendly city. Due to hostile legislation at the state level, however, it has become common for LGBT residents to relocate to Illinois for better protections and healthcare access.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Nashville</span>

LGBT culture in Nashville consists of the LGBT friendliness, resources, communities, activities for the LGBT community in Nashville and the surrounding areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBT community</span> Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities experienced by marginalized populations, and has had a significant impact on the LGBT community. Gay pride events were cancelled or postponed worldwide. More than 220 gay pride celebrations around the world were canceled or postponed in 2020, and in response a Global Pride event was hosted online. LGBTQ+ people also tend to be more likely to have pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or obesity, that would worsen their chances of survival if they became infected with COVID-19. They are also more likely to smoke.

<i>LGBTQ San Diego County News</i> LGBT newspaper covering San Diego, California

LGBTQ San Diego County News(LGBTQSD News) is a print and online LGBT newspaper for the San Diego, California area.

LGBT-, or queer-owned businesses are businesses owned and often operated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They may also be described as being owned by specific subgroups, such as gay-, lesbian-, or trans-owned businesses.

References

  1. ↑ Kane, Christopher (2023-02-14). "Former NGLCC staffer joins Commerce Department". Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  2. ↑ "EDA Leadership". U.S. Economic Development Administration. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  3. ↑ "Philly LGBTQ activist Lovitz announces candidacy for Rep. Brian Sims' Pa. House seat". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  4. ↑ "NGLCC selects Lovitz to lead external relations and NY subsidiary". Affinity Magazine – Innovative. Successful. Loyal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  5. ↑ "Jonathan Lovitz Transitions to NGLCC Advisor - NGLCC". nglcc.org. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  6. ↑ "Office of the Governor | Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Enabling State Certification of Businesses as LGBTQ+-Owned". www.nj.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. ↑ Duffy, Brandon (2019-07-26). "LA becomes largest city in US to formally include LGBTQ businesses in contract process worth billions". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  8. ↑ Byrne, John (14 January 2020). "Lightfoot-backed study to look at possible set-asides for gay-, transgender-owned Chicago businesses advances". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  9. ↑ "NGLCC | MIAMI BECOMES LARGEST CITY IN FLORIDA TO INCLUDE LGBT BUSINESSES CERTIFIED BY NGLCC | nglcc.org". www.nglcc.org. Archived from the original on 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  10. ↑ "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 2019-04-17. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  11. ↑ Cohn, Meredith (21 November 2018). "Baltimore mayor issues order recognizing LGBTQ-owned businesses". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  12. ↑ "LGBT-owned businesses to get boost from King County". The Seattle Times. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  13. ↑ "Mayors of 2 NJ cities sign orders to include veterans, disabled and LGBT businesses". newjersey.news12.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  14. ↑ "Review: Does Logo (Finally) Have Another Reality Hit with "The Setup Squad"?". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  15. ↑ "From captivating audiences to engaging communities | News | College of the Arts | University of Florida". arts.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  16. 1 2 "Jonathan Lovitz, Steve Sosna". The New York Times. 2017-10-09. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  17. ↑ "The 2023 Out100: Jonathan Lovitz". www.out.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  18. ↑ Getting Kinky with the creatives/cast of KINKY BOOTS on Broadway , retrieved 2023-08-15
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.