I'm From Driftwood
The stories on I’m From Driftwood send a simple but powerful message to LGBTQIA+ people everywhere: You are not alone. I’m From Driftwood combats isolation and creates empathy to build a more understanding and accepting world. These are our stories, told in our own voices.
Latest Coming Out Stories
Gay Man Reunites with Estranged Father After Seven Years. “It Takes Time But You Gotta Work at It.”
Hi, my name is Nick from Toms River, New Jersey. I was in my mid 20s living in New York City. I met a guy, I went home with him. We had a really wonderful night. We decided that we...
How a Crush Saved a Queer Person’s Life. “Falling in Love was the Catalyst for Accepting Who I Am.”
Hey, so my name is Grey. I grew up in Florida. I grew up in a church and in a family that was very conservative Christianity wise. They’re also Caribbean. There’s als...
After Coming Out to Filipino Immigrant Parents, Gay Man Learns to Stop Seeking Approval From Others.
I’m Justin Senense, and I’m from Abilene, Texas. I was raised under three pillars. I would say for a Filipino family, it was always food, then it was family, and then i...
“You’re My Child. I Want To Be There.” Iowa Mom Accompanies Daughter to Thailand for Gender-Confirming Surgery.
My name is Daye and I’m from Clear Lake, Iowa. Growing up in the country, back home, I always knew that I was different. And I remember at one point when I was 10, actually...
TikTok Helps Genderqueer Teen Realize Their True Self. “This is Who I Am. This is How I Feel.”
My name is Li. I’m from Somers, New York. My parents never forced gender norms on me. I never had super masculine or feminine toys as a kid or clothing. They let me lean to...
Xbox Game “Tell Me Why” Gives Trans Teen the Confidence to Be Himself. “I Was Finally in My Skin.”
I’m Evan, and I’m from Somers, New York. When I was younger, I never really felt comfortable with the girly things or wearing dresses, playing with all the girl toys,...
Swipes Right, Finds Love: Queer Undocumented Woman Falls in Love & Finds Herself Along the Way.
My name is Tashi Sanchez-Llaury and I am from Trujillo, Peru. It was after another breakup with another cishetero man. I personally think that it was a big rebound, but I think I t...
“I’m a Son. I’m a Gay Man. I’m a Teacher. I’m a Christian.” Gay Man Learns to Embrace His Whole Self.
I’m Patrick Tirino. I’m from Astoria, New York. I always knew I was gay from a very, very small age. I could vividly remember a picture that’s still in my mother&...
Gay Activist Comes Out to Parents Before the Local News Does It for Him.
My name is Kris Banks and I’m from Alvin, Texas. So I was in law school, but I was also getting pretty heavily involved in local politics. I was starting to work with some of...
“I Didn’t Have a Good Outcome With My Family.” Nonbinary Person Overcomes Challenges To Live Authentically.
My name is Ley and I’m from the Dominican Republic. I was 15, 14 when I told my mother for the first time that I was bisexual, because that’s the language that I have...
Flirty Butt Grab During “Godspell” Leads To “Bright, Light, & Wonderful” Perspective on Gay Life.
My name’s Daniel Holland. I’m from Clear Lake, Texas. It was in 1998. It was, like, butt cut season at Clear Lake High School. I was in my shell necklace, my cargo ...
From Texas to Taiwan, Gay Man Overcomes Fear By Coming Out Again and Again
Hi, I’m Leon Yuan. I grew up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. As a teenager growing up in Taiwan, I always knew I was gay. My biggest fear at the time was that if I were to come out to ...
