Founder Interview with David Morgenstern, Gaddies
Photo Credit: Gaddies
David Morgenstern (he/him) is the founder of Gaddies, the world’s first brand dedicated entirely to celebrating gay dads. What started as a playful idea quickly became something much bigger: a platform that fosters community, representation, and pride in queer fatherhood. With a background spanning apparel at Nike, financial services, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, David took the leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, driven by his desire to create something deeply personal. Today, Gaddies is more than a brand; it’s a movement that provides both tangible products and a sense of belonging for gay dads everywhere.
In our conversation, David opened up about the path that brought him here, from his roots in Cleveland to navigating health challenges and taking bold career leaps that ultimately led to founding Gaddies. He spoke about the isolation of queer parenthood and the joy of finding a community of like-minded dads. Through Gaddies, he’s redefining what it means to be a gay parent, creating space for visibility, connection, and everyday pride, not just during Pride Month. His story is one of gratitude, resilience, and the power of representation in shaping a more inclusive world.
Check out the interview below!
Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you got to where you are today?
Every morning starts with a FaceTime to my 100-year-old grandfather, “Boppi”. He’s my role model, my biggest cheerleader, and my four-year-old’s best friend. Watching their bond is one of my greatest joys. If I’m not talking to Boppi, I’m probably watching the Cleveland Cavaliers or listening to ‘80s/‘90s R&B—my kid could sing Whitney’s ‘How Will I Know’ at age three, which might be my proudest parenting moment.
I grew up in Cleveland, in a vibrant, diverse community where conversations about race and inclusion were part of daily life. That experience shaped me—it’s what led me to study history, explore the evolution of people and systems, and intentionally pursue places that would challenge and grow me.
But after graduation, I found myself somewhere I never expected: in a suit, managing teams in New York’s financial sector. It was fast-paced, high-stakes—and completely out of sync with what I valued. I climbed the ladder and then, in my 20s, a health crisis forced me to hit pause. To reassess. To ask hard questions. Did I really want to spend my life making hedge funds richer? The answer was a hard, “no”.
That big shift in my life happened around the same time as another—meeting my now-husband, Raphi. From the start, we shared the same values and dreams (we talked about having kids on our very first date), but we’re also incredibly different in the best ways. He’s #TeamIntrovert through and through—his rule is that I have to hang out with someone at least three times before he’ll agree to meet them!
What came next wasn’t easy—but the clarity I gained about what matters (and what doesn’t) was one of the greatest gifts. Raphi’s love and steady support, both through the hardest chapters of my past and the challenges we’re facing now, have been everything.
I pivoted professionally and went back for my MBA—determined to align my work with my values. That path eventually led me to Nike, where I got to combine my love for sport with my passion for purpose.
I started in Nike’s supply chain before transitioning into the apparel business, giving me a full-spectrum view of what it takes to build and scale a brand—from concept to consumer. Some of my most meaningful work included driving the Nike Kids business toward inclusive sizing and fit standards that weren’t based on gender, building global partnerships like Nike x LEGO, and helping launch Nike’s first-ever gender-inclusive shopping experiences. Each role deepened my understanding of how mission-driven work and great products come together to create real impact.
But throughout it all, I knew I wanted something even more personal. Something rooted in my two favorite roles—being gay and being a dad. That’s how Gaddies was born.
The idea for Gaddies came from a very specific—and very queer—parenting moment: being at the park or zoo, scanning the crowd, and wondering “Is that a gay dad… or just a stylish hipster with an earring?”
It started as a joke, but the heart of it was real. From my own experience, I knew there was a gap in the parenting space—families like mine weren’t being seen, reflected, or spoken to.
The vision for Gaddies is all about identity and connection. In the queer community, we’ve always had symbols—flags, tattoos, coded language—that help us say “I see you. I’m one of you.”
That made me wonder: what’s the gay dad version of that? What’s the symbol, the phrase, the vibe that makes someone say, “This is me”?
So I took everything I’d learned from building brands at scale and poured it into something deeply personal. Naming it was its own journey, but the moment I landed on Gaddies, it just clicked. It felt right—playful and proud. Now we had a name and we could build identity and real community.
Even the name Gaddies carries that dream. It didn’t exist—until now. But I love how it instantly sparks a sense of belonging and connection. The goal is for gaddy to become a universal term—a badge, a wink, a way for queer parents to find each other, claim space, and feel seen.
With Gaddies, I’m the one calling the shots—and for the first time, I’m leading with my own voice. As someone who’s spent years wrestling with self-doubt and wondering if my voice even mattered, this journey has been both terrifying and transformative.
What inspired you to offer the services you provide?
Parenting can be isolating—especially as a gay dad. We show up every day of the year, not just during Pride, yet our families are still often overlooked. Most conversations about gay dads stop at how we became parents, but there’s so much more to our stories. Becoming a parent doesn’t erase the other parts of who we are.
I’m excited for the opportunity to share those full, complex, joyful stories—and to celebrate us for everything we are, beyond just the title of ‘gaddy.’
Photo Credit: Gaddies
What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a service provider, and what did you do to overcome this?
I went from working at a company with hundreds of departments and thousands of employees to now being responsible for every role in the business. It’s equal parts overwhelming and exhilarating, but also incredible to learn so many new skills along the way.
It meant shifting my mindset—viewing every mistake and misstep as part of the growth process (easier said than done most days).
When my first trademark filing didn’t go through, I took the lessons from that experience and nailed it the second time around.
I also established simple yet powerful habits: ending everyday with a list of all the good things that happened and updating a “weekly wins” document every Friday. Looking back at that document helps me see how much I’ve accomplished in such a short time—and reminds me how far I’ve come.
I don’t come from a creative background, but my biggest win so far? Making my first sale on a hat that I designed myself! So, if you bought that ‘gaddy.’ hat and you’re reading this—THANK YOU!
Photo Credit: Gaddies
If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers within your field, what would it be?
Find your cheerleaders, and be clear about what you need. My dad always said, “Unarticulated expectations are disappointments guaranteed.” As a teenager, I’d roll my eyes, but now I realize it’s one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned. People can’t support you in the ways you need unless you tell them. I’ve embraced this by being upfront with my support system—telling friends, “Sometimes I’m going to call or text you and all I need you to do is remind me that I’m awesome, Gaddies is great, and I’m capable of doing hard things.” And they do, without hesitation. The way people, both old and new, show up for me has been one of the most beautiful parts of this journey.
But here’s the flip side: your cheerleaders might not always be who you expect. Some people I thought would have my back have ghosted me, and that’s really tough. It’s painful, but it’s also part of the process. On the other hand, I’ve been deeply moved by those who’ve stepped in—some of whom I’ve only met through this Gaddies journey. The mentors, advisors, and friends I’ve gained have been invaluable.
My advice? Be honest about your needs, stay open to new sources of support, and find the right people—the ones who truly believe in you.
And if I can sneak in a bonus takeaway: bigger isn’t always better. Some of my most meaningful partnerships have come from people or companies just getting started. They bring heart, hustle, and their absolute best work.
Evaluate thoughtfully, but don’t overlook someone just because they don’t have the longest résumé. If you believe in them, and they believe in you, it can be worth the leap.
How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?
A few years ago, I came across an old teenage diary. Page after page, I had written the same words: “I hope I’m not, I hope I’m not, I hope I’m not.” It was a painful reminder of the self-doubt and fear that defined my journey to self-acceptance. Looking back at that version of myself, and seeing how far I’ve come, makes where I am today feel almost surreal. Being a gay dad, creating products for a community of gay dads, is a dream I didn’t even know I was allowed to have.
Recently, on a flight home, we sat next to a gay couple in their 70s. They were completely charmed by our kid (we love free in-flight babysitting!!), but there was something more—an unspoken connection, a mixture of admiration and disbelief in their eyes. It felt like they were witnessing something they never thought possible: queer people like them, raising families openly, unapologetically, and with so much joy.
For me, Gaddies is about bridging generational gaps—creating a space where queer parents can feel seen and supported, offering younger queer folks a vision of parenthood they can embrace, and honoring those who paved the way. It’s about showing them the love and progress they made possible.
Photo Credit: Gaddies
What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-tos and why?
Boy Smells - I love me a candle, and their scents and messaging are always on point. #dreamcollab
Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity or figure, and why?
Kid Fury - comedian and writer. He co-hosts The Read podcast, and it’s hard to capture how much joy he’s brought to my life. I admire his sharp wit and his unwavering authenticity in all he does. The moment he read my “listener letter” on air? Definitely a highlight of my life.
Can you share one fun fact about yourself?
When I was just three months old, a neighbor’s pet python decided to take an unexpected trip through our family’s toilet and into our house! We’ve kept a collection of international press clippings about the whole incident, and from time to time, someone will recognize my last name and ask if I’m related to "the snake guy." My husband grew up with a pet snake, but I made it very clear from the start—no pet snakes in this household! 😂
