Jeffrey Hartinger is a journalist, activist, comedian, and social justice writer living in Los Angeles, California.[1] He is a contributor to The Advocate, a national gay news magazine and the longest running LGBT publication in the United States. [2] He is the founder of the website Generation : (WH)Y?, a news source which involves heavy commentary on social movements and popular culture in regard to Generation Y. There is an emphasis on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.[3][4]
A 2011 graduate of the Roman Catholic, Jesuit institution Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, he expressed views in the school newspaper about his disbelief in religion and a gravitation towards an agnostic / atheist lifestyle.[5] His first noteworthy interview was during college with Rick Lazio.[6] At the time, Lazio was running for the 2010 New York Republican gubernatorial nomination.
While at Canisius, Hartinger was involved with the gay-straight alliance; his senior year, he was responsible for bringing acclaimed speakers such as Dustin Lance Black, Ian Harvie, and Brian Sims to campus.[7] Harvie was the first transgender speaker in the history of the institution.[8]
Hartinger also planned successful protests against anti-LGBT politicians Orrin Hatch and Carl Paladino, among others.[9] Ironically, although he was very opposed to Paladino during his campaign, it was reported that Hartinger had a relationship with his nephew.[10][11]
He is notable for writing about his personal experiences as a gay male.[12] Further, his startup website has been cited as an influence for others in the Millennial Generation.[13]
Hartinger is an advocate of the DREAM Act and immigration reform. After graduation, he moved to Southern California and lived with illegal immigrants.[14] He has completed service work in various countries, such as El Salvador and Jamaica. While in Trenchtown, he witnessed a murder.[15] Further, he is an advocate for gender equality in sports; in 2011, his younger sister, Cristta, became the first female wrestler at Lancaster High School, where Hartinger was a three sport athlete and graduated in 2007.[16][17]
He has interviewed various LGBT individuals, such as Kate Clinton and Suzanne Westenhoefer.[18][19] Hartinger has also written about his disdain after meeting LGBT performer Adam Lambert from American Idol at a Hollywood nightclub.[20]
In late 2011, pictures of Hartinger appeared on gay website TheSword.com, which is based in San Francisco.[21]
Hartinger has reported on Occupy Los Angeles, one of the many occupy movements in the United States. In January 2012, he plans to travel the country and visit over forty occupy camps in the nation over the course of three months. His trip begins on January 16th, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. [22][23]