Jonathan Lovitz

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 advocacy, Lovitz was a performer in multiple national tours of Broadway shows, regional theaters, and television shows.

For the comedian and actor, see Jon Lovitz.
Jonathan Lovitz
Lovitz in 2023 at US Department of Commerce
Born (1984-07-19) July 19, 1984
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Alma materUniversity of Florida
OrganizationUS Department of Commerce
TitleDirector of Public Affairs & Senior Advisor, US Economic Development Administration
MovementLGBT rights movement
SpouseSteven Sosna

Public service career

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]

Advocacy and performance career

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]

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
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

References
  1. "NGLCC | Jonathan D. Lovitz | nglcc.org". www.nglcc.org. Archived from the original on 2018-03-16. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  2. Kane, Christopher (2023-02-14). "Former NGLCC staffer joins Commerce Department". Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  3. "EDA Leadership". U.S. Economic Development Administration. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  4. "Philly LGBTQ activist Lovitz announces candidacy for Rep. Brian Sims' Pa. House seat". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  5. "Review: Does Logo (Finally) Have Another Reality Hit with "The Setup Squad"?". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  6. "NGLCC selects Lovitz to lead external relations and NY subsidiary". Affinity Magazine – Innovative. Successful. Loyal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  7. "Office of the Governor | Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Enabling State Certification of Businesses as LGBTQ+-Owned". www.nj.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  8. 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.
  9. Byrne, John. "Lightfoot-backed study to look at possible set-asides for gay-, transgender-owned Chicago businesses advances". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  10. "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.
  11. "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.
  12. Cohn, Meredith. "Baltimore mayor issues order recognizing LGBTQ-owned businesses". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  13. "LGBT-owned businesses to get boost from King County". The Seattle Times. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  14. "Mayors of 2 NJ cities sign orders to include veterans, disabled and LGBT businesses". newjersey.news12.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  15. "From captivating audiences to engaging communities | News | College of the Arts | University of Florida". arts.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  16. "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
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