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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.

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“Are The Cats Gay, Too?” Queer Woman Comes Out To Mother With A Little Help From Her Feline Friends.

by Sho Barksdale

“Are The Cats Gay, Too?” Queer Woman Comes Out To Mother With A Little Help From Her Feline Friends.

My name is Sho Barksdale. I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Animals have always been a big part of my family’s life. Growing up, I’ve had cats, dogs, hamsters, rats, snapping t...

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“Coming Out Is An Act Of Activism.” Lesbian Reflects On Being Out In The Workplace.

by Charlotte Lewis

“Coming Out Is An Act Of Activism.” Lesbian Reflects On Being Out In The Workplace.

I’m Charlotte Lewis. I’m from Geneva, Switzerland. The first time I had to come out was to my mother. I came out. I was 16 years old. We were in Geneva. She said, “That’s g...

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Teen Daughter Reacts After Dad Comes Out As Drag Queen: “All This Time You Could’ve Been Doing My Makeup?”

by Kevin Junious

Teen Daughter Reacts After Dad Comes Out As Drag Queen: “All This Time You Could’ve Been Doing My Makeup?”

I am BeBe Sweetbriar and I am from San Francisco. I was born Kevin Junious and I was born in Sacramento, California and grew up there. Went to college outside of Sacramento and Sto...

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How Ritchie Torres, Openly Gay Council Member From The Bronx, Came To Live a Life of “Radical Authenticity.”

by Ritchie Torres

How Ritchie Torres, Openly Gay Council Member From The Bronx, Came To Live a Life of “Radical Authenticity.”

I’m Ritchie Torres. I’m from Bronx, New York. I remember the first time when I went to the Village and saw two men hold hands together, I was shocked because you would never in...

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Bisexual Man Reflects On Truth And Love.

by David R. Matteson

Bisexual Man Reflects On Truth And Love.

“What Was It Like? Stories by LGBTQ Elders” is a new program by I’m From Driftwood, in partnership with Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider, and SAGE, the countr...

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Thirteen-Year-Old Comes Out To Class: “This Is Who I Am And I Make No Apologies.”

by Arwyn Heilrayne

Thirteen-Year-Old Comes Out To Class: “This Is Who I Am And I Make No Apologies.”

I’m Arwyn Heilrayne. I’m from Austin, Texas and I’m 13 and in the seventh grade. Earlier this year, we had a substitute in Spanish class. I had finished the assignment so she...

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Queer Woman Comes Out At 47 To Little Fanfare. “I’m Just Who I Am. And Now I Have A Girlfriend.”

by Elizabeth Green

Queer Woman Comes Out At 47 To Little Fanfare. “I’m Just Who I Am. And Now I Have A Girlfriend.”

My name’s Elizabeth Green and I’m from Austin, Texas. About 3 years ago, I was married to a man that I’d been married to for 18 years. We’d been together for about 20 and w...

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Bisexual Man Embraces Sexual Fluidity.

by Ben Gibson

Bisexual Man Embraces Sexual Fluidity.

My name is Ben Gibson and I’m from Andrews, Texas. I found love when I was 16 with a girl I met in high school. And it was probably one of the best times of my entire life. We ro...

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Queer Parent Comes Out To Her Kids: “One Of The Most Liberating Things I’ve Ever Done.”

by Liz Leifer

Queer Parent Comes Out To Her Kids: “One Of The Most Liberating Things I’ve Ever Done.”

My name is Liz Leifer and I’m from Southern California. I had two bouts, actually, of coming out to my parents, my family. One of which was when I was 15 in 1985. My mother chalk...

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Being Black And Gay In The Workplace: “Be The Best You As Possible, But Also Just Be You.”

by Joseph Harris

Being Black And Gay In The Workplace: “Be The Best You As Possible, But Also Just Be You.”

I’m Joseph Harris and I’m from Kansas City, Missouri. One time when I was in fourth grade, my mom picked me up to go to parent teacher conference. We arrived and we got to the ...

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Man Overcomes Homophobia In Locker Room, Then Thrives In Gay Volleyball League.

by Jesse Anderson

Man Overcomes Homophobia In Locker Room, Then Thrives In Gay Volleyball League.

I’m Jesse Anderson. I’m from Asheville, North Carolina. I’ve always been very active. I’ve loved playing soccer and I’ve played all my life. All through middle, high scho...

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“Mr. Hay, Do You Have A Wife?” Gay Elementary School Teacher Comes Out To Students.

by Matthew Hay

“Mr. Hay, Do You Have A Wife?” Gay Elementary School Teacher Comes Out To Students.

I’m Matthew Hay. I’m from Annapolis, Maryland. One day, a week or so after the holidays, I had asked my group of fifth grade students in my music class how they had spent their...

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