Dr. Ish Ruiz is an assistant professor of Latinx and Queer Decolonial Theology at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, and holds a PhD in Theology and Ethics from the Graduate Theological Union.

A native from Puerto Rico and a queer Catholic theologian, his research interests explore the intersection between queer theology, Latinx theology, ecclesiology, sexual ethics, and Catholic education. He is the author of LGBTQ+ Educators in Catholic Schools: Embracing Inclusivity, Synodality, and Justice the editor of Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions , and the author of numerous academic articles on queerness, Latinidad, and synodality.

Prior to his appointment at Pacific School of Religion, Dr. Ruiz served as a post-doctoral fellow at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton. He also worked at the secondary school level for 11 years, chaired the Marianist LGBTQ+ Initiative team, designed various workshops on LGBTQ+ inclusion for Catholic schools, and served as a union activist to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Church employees. He has presented in numerous pastoral conferences throughout the US and abroad and has actively ministered to queer Catholics for over a decade.

Through his teaching, research, and service, Dr. Ruiz hopes to see a world where Catholicism (and Christianity, more broadly) embrace the diversity of gifts people of all racial backgrounds and sexual identities bring to society and the Church.