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 Collections Stories
Despite Homophobia and Bullying, Gay Haitian Comes Out and Learns Strength and Patience. “We Have to Have That Patience to Teach Them How to Love Us.”
I’m Dimitry Etienne. I’m from Carrefour Marin in Haiti. Growing up there, being in school, there were words that people would use that I had no concept of because we lived so f...
“He Lives with a Man. He’s Gay. You Get It?” Gay Man Describes Mother’s Journey to Acceptance.
I’m Jack Drescher. I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I originally came out to myself at the age of 21 in 1972. And as part of my coming out process, I gradually started telling peop...
Lesbian Mom Protects Her Kids From Their Homophobic Grandfather. “You Won’t Disrespect Them.”
I am Chevon Cleveland and I am from Yonkers, New York. When I was 17 years old, my mom passed away. But my -, and I never knew my dad up until that point. In 2015, I was turning 35...
After Homophobic Assault, Gay Middle Eastern Man Refuses to Hide His Identity. “Yes, I Identify as a Gay Man.”
My name is Jawad Bandar. I’m from the port city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. When I was 15 years old, still living in Jeddah, I happen to be the one of my friends who had the bigge...
After Leaving Cult, Nonbinary Person Comes into Own Identity. “They Call It Gender Euphoria.”
Hi, my name is Nox Kobus. I’m from Hammonton, NJ. So I was living in a cult when I was… from when I was two years old until I was 20. The big thing about being in a cult was th...
After Coming Out to Wife and Daughter, Gay Man’s Life Changes for the Better. “We Have a Very Modern Family.”
I’m Andre Khan and I’m from Queens, New York. I was 32, married to a woman and had a five-year-old daughter. I used to travel a lot back then in work and through those travels,...
At His Lowest Point, Gay Man Finds Escape in Creating Music. “I’m Happier Than I’ve Ever Been.”
Hi, my name is Kelvin Bloodsaw. I’m from Martinez, California. I grew up in Philadelphia. I was raised by my mom, single mother. We lived with my grandmother. Ever since I was yo...
“You’re Losing Yourself In This Bullshit.” Mom’s Tough Love Convo Snaps Gay Son Out Of Superficial Life.
Hi, my name is Liam King. I’m from Bar Harbor, Maine. It all kind of started with my mother’s reinforcement of me as a child and before I understood the social constructs of wh...
After Hitting Rock Bottom, Trans Person Finds Inspiration in Helping Others. “Not Every Queer Kid Out There Has the Support of Their Families.”
I’m River Francis. I’m from Bar Harbor, Maine. When I was six years old, I saw an episode of Night Court, which featured a trans person. And for the first time I realized that ...
Queer Iraqi Woman Breaks Down the Closet Door. “This Is Not a Way to Live.”
I’m Alaa Wasfie. I’m from Baghdad, Iraq. In 2003, I was 13 years old during the American-Iraqi war. My grandmother wanted us, the entire family, to be together in one house so ...
After Therapist Outs Student To Parents & Turns School Against Her, Trans Teen Finds a Way to Thrive.
I’m Arielle Rebekah. I am from Harrington Park, New Jersey. I struggled with depression my entire life. And when I was 17 years old, I became so depressed that my parents decided...
Queer Black Woman Stops Letting Others Define Her. “I Am Queer. I’m African-American. I’m Very Happy in My Own Skin.”
Hi, I’m Michelle from Austin, Texas. I was here in Austin and applying for the Air Force Academy and West Point, the US Military Academy and was submitting my documentation to th...
