After receiving his PhD from Yale University in the history of Christianity and teaching on the East Coast, Bernie (he/they) became one of the original staff members of the Center when it opened its doors in September 2000. Since then, he has held a number of positions at CLGS, including Program Director and Interim Deputy Director, before becoming Executive Director in July 2009. In addition, he is Associate Professor of Historical and Cultural Studies at Pacific School of Religion (PSR), directs the development and advancement work of the Center, teaches in the Certificate of Sexuality and Religion (CSR) Program at PSR, and serves as Director of the Center’s book series.

He is co-author of Ministry Among God’s Queer Folk: LGBTQ Pastoral Care [Cascade Press, 2019] and editor of Mapping New Terrain in Queer Religious Scholarship: Essays in Honor of John Eastburn Boswell [Routledge Press, 2025]. He has published numerous articles in the areas of church history, medieval Christianity, and LGBTQ history and activism.

Contact: bschlager@clgs.org 

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw (he/his) is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa. Jakob received his MDiv and Certificate in Sexuality and Religion from the Pacific School of Religion and his MA in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Christian Theology and Spiritual Direction from Cardiff University in Wales, and a BA in Religious Studies with an emphasis on Christianity and Islam, from the University of South Florida. Jakob has led trainings on human rights and participated transgender advocacy throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Central and Eastern Europe. Jakob’s favorite thing in life is being a dad! He lives in Tampa, Florida, with his husband and their two children.

Contact: jhero@clgs.org 

Rev. Terence L. Mayo (he/they) is a Black queer feminist practical theologian, critical educator, and LGBTQIA+ youth advocate who strives to co-create change through contextual theological education, community-based change strategies, and racial equity. As a sought-after speaker, Rev. Mayo has shared his expertise on various topics, including Black LGBTQIA+ youth, DEI, education-community partnerships, public theology & social change, and trauma-informed strategies.

Terence serves on the national boards for Progressive Youth Ministry and the Howard University School of Divinity Alumni Association. Terence is also a Steinhardt Fellow at New York University, working toward his Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning. He has earned degrees in Business, Secondary Education, and Religion.

Contact: tmayo@clgs.org

Dr. Ish Ruíz (he/his) is Director of the CLGS Catholic Roundtable and Assistant Professor of Latinx and Queer Decolonial Theology at Pacific School of Religion. He holds a PhD in Theology and Ethics from the Graduate Theological Union.

A native of Puerto Rico and a queer Catholic theologian, Ish’s research interests explore the intersection between Catholic moral theology, queer theology, Latinx theology, ecclesiology, sexual ethics, liberation, human rights, and Catholic education. He is the author of LGBTQ+ Educators in Catholic Schools: Embracing Synodality, Inclusivity, and Justice [Rowman & Littlefield, 2024] and a co-editor of Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions [New Ways Ministry, 2024].

Dr. Ruíz has published several academic and public theology articles in the field of Catholic theological ethics and has ministered in Catholic schools and parishes on matters of LGBTQ+ and Latinx inclusion throughout the nation.

Contact: iruiz@clgs.org