Liquid Lounge, hosted by the Connecticut Science Center, promotes an energetic yet casual environment for adults to enjoy after their long workdays. Attendees enjoy the themed night filled with games, performances, and refreshments. Though, for Adam and Christopher (CJ), there was more to the event in 2012 than drinks and entertainment.
The Connecticut Science Center was a familiar destination for both. Adam is a high school math teacher and CJ was a middle school science teacher at the time, now a Nurse Practitioner. This means STEM plays a major role in their daily lives and the people that they work with. “The Science Center is a great spot for families, couples, and friends to gather and try something new- young and old.” Adam shared during our conversation. “It is a venue that provides a local alternative to the bar scene, movies, and other more traditional entertainment spaces. And you might meet your future spouse there.” Yes, you read that last part correctly, Adam and CJ first met at Liquid Lounge ten years ago and today are just weeks away from celebrating five years of marriage. I recently sat down with the couple to learn more about their story, because this was one, we knew we had to share.
On March 9, 2012, Adam and CJ attended Liquid Lounge: Superfly separately with their coworkers. Neither were strangers to the event. Both being teachers at the time often found themselves at the Science Center with their colleagues when the adult programs were held on Fridays after school. Johnny, a mutual friend between the two, introduced Adam to CJ on the night of the costume event. Keeping in theme, CJ was dressed as the infamous Clark Kent. This classic disguise was enough for Adam to not recognize the man he had been talking to for a few weeks already. Unknowing in the moment, Adam and CJ has met prior to this Liquid Lounge, on a popular online dating platform, and had been messaging back and forth since then. The following day, all of the pieces started to come together, they both realized who they had met the night prior, and the rest is history. Not soon after their Liquid Lounge introduction, they went on their first date, about a year later they adopted their dog Scooter and moved in together. On July 1, 2017, Adam and Christopher were married in Newport, Rhode Island.
The story does not stop there, you remember Johnny, the mutual friend who introduced Adam and CJ at Liquid Lounge? Well, a few years later, while Adam and CJ were dating, both Adam and Johnny went on a “teacher vacation” to Punta Cana with some colleagues. While there, Adam took a beginner’s Spanish class at the resort where he met Bethany, a teacher from Boston, and introduced her to Johnny. They hit it off immediately and would be married a few years later. “I credit Johnny with my introduction to my husband and he credits me with his introduction to Bethany.” Adam explained, “I really did return him the favor!”
Last night, the Connecticut Science Center brought back Liquid Lounge, celebrating Pride on the Plaza. The event helps encourage the celebration and sharing of cross-cultural knowledge while providing a welcoming space for the community to come together. With that, the Science Center wants to strengthen connections with the many LGBTQ+ STEM Professionals that work in the state.
“The Connecticut Science Center helps capitalize on the needs of our world by engaging the next generation in events, exhibits, and programming that sparks the curiosity of our community, especially our youth.” Adam shared. We always knew the Connecticut Science Center was a special place, and Liquid Lounge an incredible event, but hearing stories such as this shows the community being built every day at the iconic institution. For Adam and CJ, the Connecticut Science Center is a place that symbolizes their first meeting. And, like science, love has no borders.
London Brazal is a Community Engagement and Marketing Intern at the Connecticut Science Center. She is a rising senior at Marist College working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations.
Katelyn Rutty is the Communications Coordinator at the Connecticut Science Center where she manages all of the online content platforms. She has a Masters in Business Administration from Western New England University.
