National Stonewall Democrats took some time to get to know
one of our wonderful members out in Houston after hearing a murmor of
wedding bell bliss in his future. Brad and his partner Noel were
married in Washington, DC while they attended the 2010 National
Stonewall Convention. Stonewallers, please meet Brad Pritchett.
NSD: Which Stonewall Democrat affiliate do you belong to and how long have you been a member?
BP: Houston Stonewall Young Democrats (HSYD) and I have been a member for 2 years.
NSD: What's your reason for joining Stonewall out in Houston?
BP: I was inspired by the primary campaign of President Obama. We had
never experienced a Presidental primary that held such significance
here in Texas so it sparked a tremendous amount of interest and a
feeling of just wanting to be involved. Through the campaign I found my
way to HSYD and felt immediately welcomed and impressed by this
environment of young people who were taking up the Democratic banner and
trying to really make change happen.
NSD: Could you share with us a Stonewall campaign highlight?
BP: Sure. One of the things that I feel proudest of is how HSYD has stepped
up to the plate and supported so many openly LGBT electeds and
candidates in Houston. We were proud to support Mayor Annise Parker in
her historic race as well as Councilmember Sue Lovell and Judge Steven
Kirkland and community leaders like Maverick Welsh, Lane Lewis and my
husband Noel Freeman when they made their runs for Houston City Council.
Even today we have several openly gay candidates running for judicial
positions. As an organization HSYD has been fortunate to have talented,
well-qualified LGBT candidates recieve our endorsement.
NSD: Name your favorite Democrat.
BP: That's an easy one - President Obama.
NSD: Please share with us your Wedding Story and what inspired you and Noel?
BP: Well for starters, Noel and I have been together 8 1/2 years and
the first year and a half of our relationship was long-distance since he
was finishing school at Texas A&M University and I was living in
Houston. We eventually moved in together and slowly started to build a
happy life. As far as a wedding was concerned we always said we didn't
need a piece of paper to define our relationship, which was really just a
way to make ourselves feel better since same-sex marriage is banned by
the Texas Constitution. When we decided to visit D.C. for the NSD
Convention, Noel decided it would be a good time to get married. So, he
called my Mother and asked for permission and knew that after he got it
he had probably 8 hours before she spilled the beans. So we went to a
park located across the street from Houston City Hall one evening and he
proposed. Of course, to me, the answer was obvious.
When we got to D.C. and went to the Superior Court to pick-up our
marriage license I was a little worried that we might stick-out like
sore thumbs; however, when we walked in there were 3 other couples
waiting and 2 were same-sex couples. That was really awesome.
The actual ceremony took place on a Sunday morning outside of the
Jefferson Memorial. The wedding was witnessed by a handful of close
friends, a small army of ducks and a passing Boy Scout troop visiting
D.C. for the Boy Scout Jamboree. It was actually the perfect ceremony.
And after we had that signed piece of paper in our hands, it became even
more apparent how important a single sheet of paper can be and why it's
so important that LGBT people keep fighting for full equality under the
law.
The adorable couple after their ceremoy.
Thanks
Brad and Noel for sharing your wedding story with Stonewallers across
the country. If you would like to be mentioned in our next newsletter
or up on our blog in our Member Highligh section, please email our
communication folks at lpecikonis@stonewalldemocrats.org.
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