Interview with Adrian Pulido
DateApril 17, 2026
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 48 Minutes, 50 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
Description(a) Audio file of interview with Adrian Pulido. He was interviewed by Tania Alfonso on April 17, 2026 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (b) Photograph of Adrian Pulido taken at his interview.
Adrian Pulido was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in his life.
Adrian describes his moment of change as a phone call he received when he was 16, from an Army recruiter, encouraging him to enlist. He recalls using the “Buddy System” with his twin brother, Abe, through which they were able to enlist together. Adrian identified breaking his foot during basic training as a major catalyst for change. It forced Adrian to choose his own path while his brother continued basic training without him. Adrian recalls that this was a difficult decision, particularly because he had a sheltered childhood that caused him to second guess his decisions.
Adrian discusses the difficulties he experienced in the military as a gay man, noting that he felt he was not able to be his full self. After completing his military contract, Adrian began embracing his true self. He navigated the pressures of growing up Catholic as well as the stigmas of homosexuality. Adrian attributes ceramics to helping him accept himself. While creating ceramics, he feels free to create what he desires and spreads his joy of art through teaching.
Adrian ends his interview discussing how he admires his resilience and how he is gaining confidence in himself. Although he did not have the best military experience, he is thankful that he enlisted because it helped him “break out of his shell.”
Adrian Pulido was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in his life.
Adrian describes his moment of change as a phone call he received when he was 16, from an Army recruiter, encouraging him to enlist. He recalls using the “Buddy System” with his twin brother, Abe, through which they were able to enlist together. Adrian identified breaking his foot during basic training as a major catalyst for change. It forced Adrian to choose his own path while his brother continued basic training without him. Adrian recalls that this was a difficult decision, particularly because he had a sheltered childhood that caused him to second guess his decisions.
Adrian discusses the difficulties he experienced in the military as a gay man, noting that he felt he was not able to be his full self. After completing his military contract, Adrian began embracing his true self. He navigated the pressures of growing up Catholic as well as the stigmas of homosexuality. Adrian attributes ceramics to helping him accept himself. While creating ceramics, he feels free to create what he desires and spreads his joy of art through teaching.
Adrian ends his interview discussing how he admires his resilience and how he is gaining confidence in himself. Although he did not have the best military experience, he is thankful that he enlisted because it helped him “break out of his shell.”
Object number2024.79.75a-b
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the theme "Redefining Moments of Change." Conneticans share stories of people or events who have changed their lives or how they have sparked change in the lives of others.Cataloging Note: Digitization and access to this collection is supported by a Congressionally Directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject Terms
- Bridgeport
- People of color
- Oral history
- Interviews
- Oral narratives
- Men
- Mexican Americans
- Military training
- Family
- LGBTQIA+ people
- Gay people
- Pottery
- Art
- Artists
- Teaching
- Interviews and Oral Histories
- Born Digital Audio
- Community History Project U.S. Department of Education grant
- Redefining Moments of Change Collection
On View
Not on view
1 July 2025
