J. Bob Alotta

Since 1977, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice has been advocating social justice for marginalized people worldwide, and for its current executive director, J. Bob Alotta, job titles are irrelevant. “The most rewarding thing to me,” she tells GO, “is the magic of congregation. My purpose is to exist in, instigate, envision, strategize, and build from and for our joyous community.” The filmmaker-turned-technologist-turned social philanthropist first joined Astraea in 2011 and has since navigated the foundation—which has awarded over $40 million in grants to community betterment projects around the world—through the changing technological and political landscapes of the 21st century. Under her stewardship, Astraea has become a leader in merging technological development with social activism and has also launched the world’s first intersex human rights fund in conjunction with intersex advocates. She’s also a fierce public speaker, as much at home in front of crowds in Lesbians Who Tech summits as she is on stage at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Alotta has recently announced that she will be stepping down from Astraea, but will remain executive director through the summer. —RK