Horton is currently an openly gay member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board. Before serving on the board, Jeff, a graduate of Yale University, spent 15 years as an English teacher at Crenshaw High in south Los Angeles.

He also worked for a year as a deputy to then board member Jackie Goldberg. When she announced her retirement in 1991, Horton ran for her seat and was elected; he was re-elected in 1995. He recently completed a term as president of the board.

Jeff's partner from 1984 is Larry Pickens; in 1995, they adopted a son, Dante Pickens-Horton, who was then six year old.