“Find your people – those who will pick you up during tough times. They become an extension of your family.” Klint Jaramillo, 08′
My name is Klint Jaramillo, pronouns He/Him/Él, and I graduated from Livingston College in 2008 with a degree in Sociology, Latino Studies, and Critical Sexualities Studies. During my time at Rutgers, I was extremely lucky to have worked with and be mentored by Dr. Cheryl Clarke for two years in the Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities. One year we were planning the annual QTPOC reception, and I so clearly remember how I felt during the event. It was probably the first time in my adult life I felt that I could truly be my full self, allowing my many identities to interact, intersect, and exist.
In high school, I served as the president of the Bible Club and I struggled for many years to reconcile my queer and Christian identities. It wasn’t until I was at Rutgers that I flew out of the closet and began a journey of self-discovery and self-love. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed that I’d now be leading a queer resource center and be proud to be a queer man of color.
As a direct result of my student experience – and influence by amazing mentors at Rutgers – I have always been committed and involved with the broader queer community. I completed a Master of Social Work at the University of Chicago in 2010. I worked in the South Side of Chicago as a bilingual therapist for queer youth and their families. In 2013, I completed a second masters degree in Higher Education with a focus on LGBT resource centers. So I transitioned careers and began my student affairs journey at UC Santa Barbara, serving as Associate Director of the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity. Now since 2016, I’ve been serving as Director of the LGBT Resource Center at University of California, San Francisco.
