(Photo credit to Jerri Graham)
How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? Our son Henry is 2 1/2, and we have lived here 4 years.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? What do you like most about what you do? Feel free to share any details of how you ended up where you are (us moms LOVE a good story!) During Covid I began to ponder 3 questions: 1) What does Westport’s LGBTQ community look like? 2) What would it look like if we were to gather? and 3) How can we be ushers or radical welcome within our community? I had a coffee with Dan Woog in the fall and we talked and he agreed to do a story. Little did I know that in 6 months this idea would become a movement of its own called Westport Pride.
By day, I am the head of IT project management for a commodities merchant in Stamford so bringing order to chaos is my specialty! My background in community service, business and ministry really helped to harness all of the potential I’ve found and met in our town and help forge this wonderful community of LGBTQ individuals, families and allies. I love the personal stories and connections. To hear an LGBTQ student say, “I feel more comfortable in our town now,” or seeing two families who share similar experiences connecting over their children and realizing they are no longer alone – that’s what this is all about. Connectedness, mentorship and making people feel welcome and included.
In a next life…what is your dream job? I think my dream job would be seeing a group like Westport Pride blossom into a full time organization that could complement my bi-vocational call to the priesthood with the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? People are surprised to learn I am in the process for holy orders with the Episcopal Church in Connecticut while still keeping a full time job in IT Project Management.
What’s your drink of choice? Iced Coffee
What is the one thing your spouse does that you are eternally grateful for? =) My husband Stephen is a true friend and life companion who I could not imagine being without. He is a wonderful parent, talented decorator who has made our house a home, and is a creative jewelry designer to boot. I am eternally grateful for his care for our son Henry and his amazing prowess in the kitchen where I am lost unless it requires a grill.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self about being a father? The wait and process of having children as a gay man is long, costly and full of twists and turns. For many it’s simply out of reach. I always knew I wanted to be a father, but never thought I could be. I would tell my younger self to accept and be who you are, relax, be patient and expect the unexpected – there are silver linings to being gay you never thought possible and being a dad is one of them!
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
Scotch or Beer? Seltzer – I’ve been sober 12 years
Golf or Beach day? Beach
Play sports or watch sports? Watch
College football or NFL? NFL
Beer pong or ping pong? Ping pong nowadays
Hot wings or Mild Wings? Hot
Comedy or Drama? Comedy
Motorcycle or Mountain Bike? Motorcycle