Click here to watch Jason and Cameron chat over drinks at Happy Hour!

Jason is originally from Boston and was born into a traditional Portuguese family who emigrated to the U.S. from the Azores Islands. Growing up in a very traditional Roman Catholic family that was discriminated against because of their culture, his parents instilled in him to always respect and embrace others and their differences. After being raised in the Bay Area, he moved to Fresno to attend college and live on the ranch his parents bought. After moving to Fresno, Jason was in a culture shock in the lack of progression and tolerance Fresno displayed. He was quickly accepted to the Joffrey Ballet Training Program in New York City, but he turned down the offer, preferring instead to stay local and focus on making changes in the communities of Fresno.

In Fresno, Jason joined a dance company. Soon, he ran another dance company, and traveled to different universities to teach and perform with other companies. During this time, he taught children and adults with mental and physical challenges and worked with Special Olympics. After leaving the world of dance, he pursued a career in the medical field where he began coordinating five dialysis clinics and moved on to becoming a counselor at an inpatient psychiatric facility.

At the age of 30, Jason realized it was a time for a life change. He fully realized and accepted his sexuality and decided to move to Sacramento. He was free to explore this newfound freedom without the confines of his previous life. He continued his healthcare career working in High Risk Labor and Delivery, ICU, Cardiovascular Intervention, Emergency Medicine, and Oncology. A few years later, Jason felt it was time for yet another change and moved to San Francisco, where he eventually was offered a job in recruiting at a major global biotech company. Jason could not believe there was a company out there that supported and encouraged an open, supportive environment while finding cures for major healthcare ailments. He found his passion in this role and has been at it ever since.  

Jason also found another passion in San Francisco – working with the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a non-profit program providing phone, text, and email support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist LGBTQ youth in the prevention of suicide and bullying. Jason has been with the Trevor Project for two years and is committed to continuing work with them to ensure there are services available for LGBTQ youth everywhere as long as they are needed.