Admiral Rachel Levine serves as the HHS Assistant Secretary for Health and head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She fights to improve the health and well-being of all Americans. Her storied career, first, as a physician in academic medicine focused on the intersection between mental and physical health. Then as Pennsylvania’s Physician General, and later as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health, she addressed COVID-19, the opioid crisis, and other public health challenges.
Over the past 25 years, Jasper Liem has provided clinical support for queer and trans youth throughout the Philadelphia area. Liem’s career with the Attic Youth Center began in 2013 as a board member. In 2022, they stepped into the executive director role, and they’re proud to work with a team dedicated to increasing access to opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth to grow into healthy, independent adults.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
I grew up in this community and found a home among other trans and POC advocates. I have had the honor of giving back and moving us to a future that is more equitable and uplifts diverse voices while also learning to identify the many privileges that carried me to this point.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, to start. They were both within the Attic’s age range when the Stonewall Riots started and I hold that close to my heart working with LGBTQ+ youth now. Billy Porter has been an icon of living your best queer life, and being vulnerable in his honesty that his queerness has been both a superpower and liability in his career.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
It’s not enough for us to have LGBTQ+ affirming spaces when we live our lives in every space. LGBTQ+ youth need access to appropriate resources in every aspect of life, but everything is difficult when your housing is temporary, unreliable, or non-existent. Philadelphia needs more LGBTQ+ affirming housing options, especially in the emergency shelter system, where it can be difficult enough to be an 18 year old seeking shelter, let alone being LGBTQ+.
Jonathan Lovitz is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ advocate and public policy expert. President Biden appointed Jonathan to the US Department of Commerce in February 2023. Lovitz has helped write and pass more than 25 national, state, and local laws opening up contracting and economic opportunity to minority small business owners, including veterans, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. He continues to lead advocacy initiatives across America on voting rights, nondiscrimination, healthcare, gun safety, and more.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The Philly LGBTQ+ community is one of the most diverse and inspiring in America. I have grown so much from my years working with them on civil rights, voting rights, public health, gun violence prevention and more — and I’m so proud to keep fighting for my Philly community in my new role in the Biden Administration.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I am able to be an out LGBTQ+ public servant today because of the trails blazed by our heroes and champions of yesterday. I think about Philly icons Mark Segal and Edie Windsor every single day as I enter the White House — I fight on for their legacies.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Solidarity. We have to defuse the self-made divisions between segments of the LGBTQ+ community and work together. We have real enemies out there who wish us and our loved ones harm, and we shouldn’t do their work for them by fighting among ourselves.
Jone E. Magagna has been in the printing business for over three decades, starting as a sales rep for a major web printer, and then as co-owner of her own print company which she sold after managing for 28 years. Magagna has worked with clients in a myriad of businesses, including healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. Magagna is an avid tennis player, runner, and skier, and has two daughters living in Florida.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
I am active in the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community and am currently a board member of the Independence Business Alliance which promotes LGBTQ+ businesses in a chamber of commerce format. I currently serve on the IBA’s membership and TransWork committees. I am especially proud of the nonprofit TransWork, as its mission is to help trans identified people gain employment at no cost to the individual.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I am inspired most by trans icons and activists such as Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and Sarah McBride, who had the courage to come out early in life and make a huge impact on today’s society with regard to acceptance of trans identified people. As a late transitioner myself with a lot of experience, I am doing all I can to help younger people with their transition journeys.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Philadelphia needs to continue its reputation as a safe haven for all members of the LGBTQ+ community in light of the current political climate, especially prejudice against trans and nonbinary identified people. The current rash of state sponsored bills discriminating against transgender youth is both unreal and frightening at the same time. Philadelphia must remain a beacon of light for those who wish to live as their authentic selves.
Darius McLean works as the chief operating officer at the William Way LGBT Community Center. Darius brings over 13 years of experience working directly with youth. LGBTQ+ Health and youth development programming are at the foundation of Darius’ professional interests. His work consists of acting as a passionate advocate for increased access to culturally significant healthcare both locally and nationally. Notably, his professional leadership in the LGBTQ+ community grows from a lifetime of lived experience.
Celena Morrison-McLean is currently serving as the executive director of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs. Since becoming the executive director, Celena has helped develop policies that foster inclusivity like the Employee Self Identification Census and the Supporting Transitioning Employees Guidelines for the City of Philadelphia’s workforce. Celena’s leadership played an intricate part in the nonbinary runners ability to qualify for award prizes for this year’s race.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The history of LGBTQ+ culture in Philadelphia can be traced back to the early 20th century. It exists right now as a dynamic, diverse, and philanthropically active culture with organizations and events held to promote an inclusive culture and rights in Philadelphia. Being originally from the southern state of North Carolina really makes you appreciate living in a City that values and respects all identities.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I am inspired by Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Laverne Cox. But I am most inspired by Philadelphia Icons Jackie Adams and Charlene Arcila.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
It is our responsibility, now more than ever, to make sure we protect our trans and nonbinary community members’ right to exist, be seen, and be proud. It is our responsibility to work harder than ever to ensure that trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming folks are cared for legally, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Jake Muscato (he/him) serves as the first openly trans associate director at the University of Pennsylvania’s LGBT Center. Since starting his high school’s GSA, Jake has been an LGBTQA+ advocate, educator, and mentor. Jake was an active leader in LGBTQA+ spaces at West Chester University, where he received bachelors degrees in Political Science and Gender Studies. His passion for equity led him to educational and social services work in Philadelphia before joining Penn’s LGBT Center.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
Philadelphia has a rich queer and trans history that has helped to foster the current expansive and lively LGBTQA+ culture we have today. I am proud to live in a city where there are so many outstanding folks and organizations providing resources and support to the LGBTQA+ community on a daily basis.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
The access and privilege that I have right now in the world as a white, transgender man is due to the work of many transgender women of color — Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Charlene Arcila, Deja Lynn Alvarez, just to name a few. Their legacies inspire me to continue this work.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Continue educating government officials, allocating resources to places already doing the work (Attic Youth Center, galaei, Morris Home, etc.), supporting LGBTQA+ youth through inclusive and affirming policies, and listening to the voices of the most vulnerable and marginalized in our community. Ally is not who you are — it’s what you do!
LaTonya T. Myers is the founder of Above All Odds, a grassroots organization dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system, supporting returning citizens, and empowering marginalized communities. LaTonya’s central mission is to serve the LGBTQ+ community with reentry needs, offering both practical support and advocacy for long-term change. Her fearless advocacy is driven by her own lived experiences; Myers uses her experiences to inspire others and challenge those in positions of power to take action.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community in Philly is fearless, with strong resilience and activism. Our history of fighting for equality, fostering inclusivity, and creating safe spaces makes me proud to call Philadelphia my home.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
The influential queer leaders who have paved the way for us. Amber Hikes, a trailblazer creating inclusive safe spaces to be unapologetically proud, queer people of color. Toni Morrison inspires me to stay true to my passions and rise above all odds. Nellie Fitzpatrick teaches us the power of love and unity in creating change. Kelly Burkhardt tirelessly advocates for LGBTQ+ victims of crime, ensuring justice and healing. Their impact on our community is immeasurable.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
The LGBTQ+ community plays a crucial role in reentry and ending mass incarceration. We have historically faced higher rates of incarceration due to systemic discrimination and bias. It is vital for our voices and experiences to be heard and recognized to bring about meaningful change. Highlighting the intersectional issues faced by LGBTQ+ people within the criminal justice system, we can dismantle the harmful structures that perpetuate mass incarceration, and create a more just and inclusive society for all.
Michael Newmuis serves as head of impact at FS Investments, a $35 billion asset manager, and executive director of the FS Foundation. Previously, he led government relations and economic development efforts as Chief of Staff at Visit Philadelphia. Michael serves on the boards of City & State PA, Avenue of the Arts, and the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ community programs. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
Philadelphia not only pioneered the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement by hosting the Annual Reminders, but embraced the need to celebrate each other by hosting the first Pride parade in the United States. I am proud that our community’s spirit remains strong today, as Philly is home to one of the most unified and celebratory Pride marches in the nation.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I’m inspired by Amber Hikes, a Black queer activist and community leader who worked to unify Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community. Among their efforts, Amber introduced the first Pride flag that included black and brown stripes, representing racial diversity in the LGBTQ+ community. Today, Amber’s “More Color, More Pride” flag has been adopted internationally, appears in television and film, and serves as the official Pride flag for the City of Philadelphia.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Throughout history, progress has not always been linear in the fight for equality. However, I am confident that as more Philadelphians come together to protect LGBTQ+ civil rights, the arc of history will bend in our favor and towards greater equality for all.
Claire Ogilvie, a trail-blazing entrepreneur and co-owner of microbakery The Kettle Black, exemplifies the vibrant spirit of LGBTQ+ business owners. With a passion for culinary artistry, Claire combines traditional French techniques with contemporary flavors. Through her bakery, she has created a warm and inclusive space where diversity thrives, celebrating both her identity and love for food. Her dedication to craft and her community shines through, making her microbakery a destination for locals and visitors alike.
