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
Tensions Ease After Gay Man Comes Out To Mom. “It Just Changed Things For The Better.”
My name is Aaron. I’m from Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, I always felt a little bit different and I was also more of an introvert. So I didn’t have a lot of friends – I was ...
Gay Man Forgives His Family For Traumatic Childhood. “I Did That For Myself Because I Needed To Heal.”
Hello. My name is Luis and I’m from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. My mother was intermittently present. She used to live in a different city. My father wasn’t around or was...
“It Ain’t Over Till The Bisexual Speaks.” Activist Fights For Bi Inclusion Throughout The Decades.
From Living As A Straight Housewife to Becoming A Lesbian Activist. “It Was An Amazing Awakening.” I was conceived in Hawaii. This is how the story goes – conceived in Hawa...
“We Tolerate You. Isn’t That Enough?” How A Father Grew To Embrace His Queer Son.
I’m Peter Zook and I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio. So I came out when I was 16. First, my mom – at first, I told my mom. It was during the summer after my sophomore year of high s...
Trans Woman Reflects On Her Four-Decade Journey To Authenticity.
1969: Trans Woman Reflects On Exploring Her Gender As A Child. “I Knew Inside Who I Really Was.” In 1969, I was 12 years old. I was living in Douglaston, Queens. And I had –...
Nothing Can Stop This Gay, Undocumented Immigrant From Serving His Community.
My name is Christian Mendoza. I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I remember at the age of 5, my dad – he was a police officer in the narcotics and gang unit. Every time he w...
“I Started Living My Life Instead Of Surviving It.” Mom Helps Trans Son Realize His Gender Identity.
Hi. My name is Matthew Lewellyn. I’m 15 and I’m from Saugerties, New York. So when I was about 12 I think – I think – I was still really confused. I, well going in the seve...
“We Both Lost Our Girl-ginity to the Same Girl!” Brother and Sister Share Hilarious Coming Out Epiphany.
I’m Alex and I’m from Dubuque, Iowa. It was the summer after I had just graduated college with a degree in voice performance. I was living at home and studying with my old voic...
Despite Conservative Mormon Upbringing, Gay Man Learns To Accept His Truth. “Huge Relief To Finally Be Who I Am.”
I’m Brenton Erickson. I am from Mesa, Arizona. When I was 10, I remember a night that my parents were out on a date. I have a ton of older siblings. We’re all at home in this o...
Kicked Out By His Mom, Queer High School Student Uses Newfound “Alone Time” To Explore His Sexuality.
My name is Darren Mallett. I am from East Flatbush, Brooklyn. My mother and I moved from Brooklyn to Tampa, Florida to escape New York. We lived in a one bedroom apartment, so I ca...
Gay Man Claps Back At Homophobic Boss. “It’s Been A Delight Working With Everybody Else. But Not You.”
My name is Barton Lee Jackson II. I’m from Eagle, Idaho. Idaho is an at-will employment state, so by the same concept that you can leave your job at any point without any justifi...
Gay Man Comes Out In The Workplace. “Be Who You Are, Embrace Who You Are, Leverage Your Differences.”
Hi, my name is Steve and I’m from north Jersey. I began working in the retail apparel industry out of college and it was predominantly a very safe environment for someone in the ...
