Meet Dr. Jared Boot-Haury

Dr. Jared Boot-Haury's journey to becoming a psychologist and researcher in LGBTQ+ psychology is a testament to the power of personal experience and advocacy. Growing up queer in a conservative area of Michigan, they recognized the stigma surrounding LGBTQ+ identities from a young age. This early awareness of stigma and its weaponization in political spheres sparked a passion for advocacy that would shape his future career.

Initially drawn to politics, Dr. Boot-Haury's path took an unexpected turn through the business world. After earning an MBA and working in Chicago, he found himself unfulfilled and yearning for a career that aligned more closely with his values and interests. This realization led them back to school to pursue a master's and then a doctorate in clinical psychology.

"I still enjoy seeing clients and witnessing their progress," Dr. Boot-Haury shares, "but I especially love the multiplicative effect of research. It can effect change through course curricula, training programs, and even public policy."

At Palo Alto University (PAU), Dr. Boot-Haury has found a supportive environment to pursue his research interests. They were particularly drawn to PAU by the work of Dr. Kimberly Balsam and the opportunity to build on previous postdoctoral fellows' research on minority stress and resilience. His current focus is on developing a scale to measure stress and resilience in the asexual community, an area he describes as "critically under-researched."

Dr. Boot-Haury's work aligns closely with PAU's year of Equity and Inclusion. "Asexual people often experience exclusion from LGBTQ+ settings," they explain. "Understanding the minority stress experiences that contribute to adverse mental health outcomes in the asexual community is crucial for improving equity."

In addition to his scale development project, Dr. Boot-Haury is conducting a scoping review of literature on the intersection of asexual and trans identities. They are also involved with the Santa Clara LGBTQ+ Clinical Academy, helping clinicians develop more culturally informed care.

Beyond his research, Dr. Boot-Haury is passionate about mentoring students and sharing his knowledge. He has co-created and co-led a year-long seminar series on gender-affirming surgeries at the San Francisco VA and taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies. "The best learning happens through experiential learning," they assert.

Dr. Boot-Haury's commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy extends beyond academia. He serves on the board of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality as the Policy & Government Affairs Chair, where they've contributed to groundbreaking position statements on asexual-affirming care and advocated for policies to improve healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals.

When not immersed in research or advocacy, Dr. Boot-Haury enjoys exploring the Bay Area's parks and mountains with his husband. They have two beloved sphinx cats, Cleopatra and Horus, whom they often dress up and take for walks in a stroller. His love for horror movies and EDM music often surprises people, as does his almost eidetic memory for politician names and faces.

Dr. Boot-Haury's work at PAU promises to make significant contributions to the field of LGBTQ+ psychology, particularly in understanding and supporting the asexual community. Their research, teaching, and advocacy embody PAU's commitment to equity and inclusion, paving the way for more comprehensive and affirming mental health care for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.