After receiving his PhD from Yale University in the history of Christianity and teaching on the East coast, Bernie became one of the original staff members of the Center when it opened its doors in the fall of 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 directs the development and advancement work of the Center, teaches in the Certificate of Sexuality and Religion Program (CSR) at Pacific School of Religion, and serves as an editorial consultant for the CLGS/Pilgrim Press Book series.

Contact: bschlager@clgs.org 

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw 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 

Maij (they/he/sib/homie/fam) is a BlackVietnameseBipolarTransNonbinaryQueer currently existing in and with beloved community in Winston-Salem, NC. Maij’s formal education and training consists of a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies, as well as a Masters of Divinity from Wake Forest University.

A creative visionary, organizer, and liberation companion from the Southern United States, their soul work centers the bodies, voices, and lived experiences of oppressed peoples striving to transform their imaginations and worlds.

Contact: mmai@clgs.org