Joe Perez is a Seattle-based author sought out for his expertise in integrally informed spirituality, an approach to self-development and higher awareness combining insights from Eastern and Western traditions with cutting edge research into consciousness and holistic healing. He has also facilitated support/discussion groups and men's empowerment trainings for eight years.

Joe's writings look at the intersection of individual belief and cultural values. His book Soulfully Gay (Integral Books/Shambhala, 2007) was the first book of LGBT/Gay Studies published by Shambhala, one of the world's leading publishers of Buddhist and other contemporary spiritual literature. Ken Wilber, the author of over a dozen books and founder of the Integral Institute, wrote a remarkable column published on BeliefNet hailing Joe Perez as a "rip roaring wonder of a writer."

Joe also wrote Rising Up: Reflections on Gay Culture, Politics, Spirit (Lulu, 2006), a holistic vision for LGBT activism and spirituality. He is the founder, past Editor, and current Contributor to the MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog, the Internet's leading weblog devoted to LGBT spirituality. Joe's past columns, op-eds, and other writings have appeared in Seattle Gay News, Contax Guide, OUT & PROUD, Bay Windows, and The Daily Dish, among others.

He earned a Bachelor's degree with Honors in the Comparative Study of Religion with Philosophy as Allied Field at Harvard University. Additionally, he has studied psychology and sociology of religion at The Divinity School at The University of Chicago. He has worked as a professional writer for more than 15 years for companies such as Microsoft and Siebel Systems. He is currently working on a project called "Kronology" (which also happens to be the name of his Twitter alias). His ongoing studies include courses at the Seattle Film Institute and Pacific Integral.

He has been interviewed on his memoir and unique spiritual perspective for KUOW FM (National Public Radio) and Integral Naked. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and owner of Writing Wolf, a provider of resume writing and other editorial consulting services, Joe has also been seen on the KING 5-TV and KONG-TV morning shows.

Letters are welcome via email. Follow Joe on Twitter.