STAGE TUBE: NY Theatre Actor Excused from Jury Duty Due to Gay Inequality

In a story now being picked up around the world, theatre actor, singer, dancer, model and current TV actor Jonathan D. Lovitz (Logo TV's SETUP SQUAD) made history earlier this month by being excused from jury duty, citing that he could not be impartial due to feeling treated as a second class citizen in New York, because he's gay. 

On his Facebook page he wrote "Had an intense day at jury duty. During voir dire we were asked who would not be impartial. I raised my hand and said ‘since I can't get married or adopt a child in the state of New York, I can't possibly be an impartial judge of a citizen when I am considered a second class one in the eyes of this justice system.' You wouldn't believe how people in the room reacted. Was I wrong for saying that?"

He was then excused by the judge. Legal experts say that judgements regarding impartiality excusals are made on a case by case basis.

Prior to SETUP SQUAD on Logo, his theatre credits include the national tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, ALTAR BOYZ and multiple Broadway Cares events including the Flea Market and Broadway Bares.