On September 28 in Los Angeles, the couple will add Family Equality’s 2024 Visibility Award Honoree to their long list of accolades in theater, television, film, hosting, producing, writing, and advocacy.
Los Angeles, CA — Family Equality, the nation’s leading organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, is thrilled to announce their 2024 LA Impact Visibility Award honorees Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita. They will be recognized as part of a star-studded program featuring show-stopping performances and inspiring storytelling supported by honorary chair Dan Bucatinsky; and event chairs Adair Curtis, Taylor Emerson, Alvin McCray, Danny Pintauro, Jai Rodriguez and Dani Wassel.
“As out and proud gay fathers, and renowned creators, Jesse and Justin create change every day through their art and advocacy,” said Alexis Kantor, Interim President and CEO of Family Equality. “Together, their openness in sharing their journey as same-sex parents has fostered greater acceptance and understanding for LGBTQ+ families, which is needed now more than ever. From the years they’ve spent advocating for and supporting this community to their tireless creative pursuits spotlighting LGBTQ+ narratives on stage and screen, they exemplify visibility, courage and leadership in the fight for equality. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements this fall.”
About our Honorees
Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a Tony-Award winning actor, author (Food Between Friends), producer, and podcast host (DINNER’S ON ME) known for his work on stage (TAKE ME OUT, ON THE TOWN, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE) and screen (COCAINE BEAR, MODERN FAMILY) as well as his ongoing advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2023, Ferguson wrapped his return to Broadway in the revival of playwright Richard Greenberg’s Tony®- winning play, TAKE ME OUT, where he earned his Tony® Award in the category of ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.’ Ferguson notably starred as the widely beloved character “Mitchell Pritchett” on the five-time Emmy Award-winning ABC comedy MODERN FAMILY, which ran for an impressive 11 seasons. Ferguson has also received five Emmy Award nominations and four People’s Choice Award nominations on behalf of the show.
Justin Mikita is a two-time Tony-award winning producer (TORCH SONG, OKLAHOMA!, IS THIS A ROOM, DANA H., SHUCKED) and partner & co-founder of Hawkins Mikita, a social impact firm working to develop the intersection of celebrity influence and social good. Prior to founding Hawkins Mikita, Justin served as the Development Director for the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). Justin worked on an intimate staff of seven to raise the funds necessary to support the Perry lawsuit, which restored marriage equality in the state of California by way of the United States Supreme Court. He helped to build a cohesive and robust social media strategy for AFER’s public education campaign by engaging and managing talent and influencers for social media amplification in the marriage equality movement on a national level. He worked with AFER through the Bostic case, which won marriage equality in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Mikita currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign and Center Theater Group in Los Angeles. Mikita holds a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles and a J.D. from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
A powerhouse duo, Ferguson and Mikita served as executive producers on David France’s BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary, WELCOME TO CHECHNYA, their scripted podcast, GAY PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and the documentary BROADWAY RISING (Tribeca Film Festival). As longstanding advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, Ferguson and Mikita co-founded Pronoun, previously known as Tie The Knot, in 2012. Since 2012, Tie The Knot has released a collection of products — in collaboration with some of their favorite fashion and design partners — with all proceeds benefitting LGBTQ organizations and causes worldwide. The organization has proudly raised over 1.5 million dollars and has supported important and impactful LGBTQ+ organizations across the nation.
They reside between Los Angeles and New York City with their two children and dogs.
About LA Impact
LA Impact will take place at Citizen News by Mother Wolf in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 28. The event offers celebrities, supporters, and community luminaries the opportunity to come together to support and protect all the LGBTQ+ families across the country so that they can glitter and be unapologetically themselves.
Past honorees include Niecy Nash-Betts, Bruce Cohen, Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis, Nats Getty and Gigi Gorgeous Getty, Greg Berlanti, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry, Mayor Annise Parker, Johnson & Johnson, Target, and the casts of Glee, Modern Family, and Transparent.
The 2024 LA Impact honorary chair is Dan Bucatinsky and event chairs are Adair Curtis, Taylor Emerson, Alvin McCray, Danny Pintauro, Jai Rodriguez, and Dani Wassel. Family Equality gratefully acknowledges the support of the following LA Impact sponsors, including Murray/Reese Foundation (Silver); Progyny and Nuage Designs (Bronze); Growing Generations (Friend); GEMS x Equality Vines (VIP Cocktail Reception); Teddy Bear Party (Cocktail Reception); Erica Horton and Dan Cooper (Photobooth); Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Kenvue’s Care with Pride initiative, Clockwork, Equality Vines, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fidelity Investments, Gerber, Nederlander, Playbill, Target, and Warner Brothers Discovery (National Corporate Sponsors).
Learn more about LA Impact and purchase tickets at thelaimpact.com.
About Family Equality
Family Equality is creating a world where everyone can experience the love, safety, and belonging of family. As the leading national organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, we work to ensure that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling, and education. Learn more at familyequality.org and follow Family Equality on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn, Threads, and Tiktok: @familyequality.
# # #
Press Contact
Tonya Agnew,
Vice President,
Communications & Marketing
(765) 490-4709 / tagnew@familyequality.org