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Jonathan Lovitz

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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 (age 40)
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

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

Early life and education

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Lovitz attended Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts summer camp.[1] He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 2006.[2]

Performance career

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Lovitz performed in the national touring productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar from 2006 to 2008.[3] After moving to New York City in 2008, Lovitz worked[4] 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.

Public service and advocacy career

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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 February 2023, President Joe Biden appointed Lovitz[17] as Director of Public Affairs & Senior Advisor at the US Economic Development Administration within the US Department of Commerce.[18] He led communications and public policy strategy to implement the agenda of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo.[19]

In 2022, Lovitz ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 182nd district[20], representing Center City Philadelphia.[21]

Personal life

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Lovitz lives in Washington, DC with his husband, CBS News meteorologist[22] 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.[23]

Out Magazine named Lovitz to the 2023 OUT 100 List[24] of "artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people."

Select filmography

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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[25] Host (Web Series) 14 episodes
Red Carpet Network Host (Web Series) 11 episodes

References

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  1. ^ "Jonathan Lovitz: On Finding His Voice and Using it to Promote LGBTQ Empowerment - Profiles in Pride". January 26, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  2. ^ "From captivating audiences to engaging communities | News | College of the Arts | University of Florida". arts.ufl.edu. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ BWW, Team. "Jonathan Lovitz: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  5. ^ "Review: Does Logo (Finally) Have Another Reality Hit with "The Setup Squad"?". LOGO News. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  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. ^ "Appointee - Jonathan Lovitz - Biden's Basement". Inside Biden's Basement. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  18. ^ Kane, Christopher (February 14, 2023). "Former NGLCC staffer joins Commerce Department". Washington Blade. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "EDA Leadership". U.S. Economic Development Administration. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  20. ^ Staff, P. G. N. (May 11, 2022). "PGN Endorsement for 182nd House District: Jonathan Lovitz". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  21. ^ "Philly LGBTQ activist Lovitz announces candidacy for Rep. Brian Sims' Pa. House seat". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  22. ^ "Steve Sosna - CBS Baltimore". CBS News. March 14, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  23. ^ "Jonathan Lovitz, Steve Sosna". The New York Times. October 9, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  24. ^ "The 2023 Out100: Jonathan Lovitz". out.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  25. ^ Getting Kinky with the creatives/cast of KINKY BOOTS on Broadway, retrieved August 15, 2023
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