Life is Service: Bradley George Setter x Congress Social Bar

“I moved to Durham to heal, for family, and to be a better Bradley. That’s where the Uncle Bradley George comes from on my social media handles. I needed to find myself and just be human.

Take out and remove all those preconceived notions that had been drilled into me over the years and really sit, be present, and be there for my family that settled down here in North Carolina.

I had a lot of hectic years. Some fond memories, some not so fond, but all of them helped me grow. I served in the Marines during ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’ (DADT). I guess not everyone knows what that is. DADT was the official US policy that prohibited openly non-heterosexual people from military service. After serving, I worked to get DADT repealed. In 2011, we were finally succesful. Now other service members like me can serve their country without hiding who they love.

Since then, I fought for marriage equality in Illinois and then I sold all my belongings and road tripped for years in an RV, visited national parks, and had an ‘iHeart Radio’ podcast about it.  I’ve been part of the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network where I led their Oklahoma City area efforts. I was the boots on the ground helping the next generation of amazing children who needed mentors in their lives.

What a journey. Oddly enough, I had this massive shoulder surgery and I thought, ‘Bartending would be the perfect rehab wouldn’t it?’. I tried it out and landed here at Congress with Bev. Bartending didn’t end up just being good for my shoulder. It was good for my mind, my heart, my well-being. Congress became a home. A home where I can be me. A human.”

— Bradley George Setter
Bartender / Manager @congressdurham

Pt 2.
Photographed + Interviewed by: Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof @shotbyjbot

Location: Congress Social Bar - Old East Durham. Durham, NC.