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Jonathan Lovitz | |
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Born | Atlantic City, New Jersey | July 19, 1984
Alma mater | University of Florida |
Organization | US Department of Commerce |
Title | Director of Public Affairs & Senior Advisor, US Economic Development Administration |
Movement | LGBT rights movement |
Spouse | Steven Sosna |
Jonathan D. Lovitz (born July 19, 1984) is an American advocate, former actor, and non-profit executive. He served as Senior Vice President [1] of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce since 2015. He previously served as Communications Director and acting executive director of StartOut. Prior to his advocacy work, Lovitz was a theatre and television actor.
In February 2023, President Joe Biden appointed [2] 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. [3]
In April 2021, Lovitz announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 182nd district, representing Center City Philadelphia. [4]
Lovitz toured the United States with 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 [5] as an on-air interviewer for LGBT issues, as well as one of the hosts of Setup Squad.
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. At the NGLCC, Lovitz oversees 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; [7] Los Angeles, CA; [8] Chicago, IL; [9] Miami, FL; [10] Orlando, FL; [11] Nashville, TN; Baltimore, MD; [12] Seattle, WA; [13] and Jersey City, NJ. [14]
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."
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | CSI: NY | Paralegal | (TV Series), 1 episode: "Page Turner" |
2011 | 16th & 8th | Sam | (TV Series), 1 episode |
Setup Squad | Jonny | (TV Series), 10 episodes | |
1 Girl 5 Gays | Self | (TV Series), 1 episode: "Episode #2.29" | |
2012 | Broadway.TV [18] | Host | (Web Series) 14 episodes |
Red Carpet Network | Host | (Web Series) 11 episodes |