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 What Was It Like? Stories

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“There Was Just So Much Fear” About Being A Lesbian.

by Thea Iberall

“There Was Just So Much Fear” About Being A Lesbian.

“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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“Transitioning Has Been A Journey And I Wouldn’t Trade It For The World.”

by Pearl Bennett

“Transitioning Has Been A Journey And I Wouldn’t Trade It For The World.”

“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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Transgender Woman Thought She Was “A UFO Child Left Here By Mistake.”

by Cecilia Gentili

Transgender Woman Thought She Was “A UFO Child Left Here By Mistake.”

The life expectancy of a trans woman of color, actually I think it’s like a trans person, but I identify as a trans woman of color I like to say, the life expectancy of a trans wom“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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Using Humor Through Bullying, Homophobia, and the AIDS Epidemic

by Thom Hansen

Using Humor Through Bullying, Homophobia, and the AIDS Epidemic

“I Wouldn’t Kiss You If You Were The Last Boy On Earth.” Well it was 1969 just pre-Stonewall. And I was a Sophomore in high school. I went to St. Peter’s Preparatory School...

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“The Greatest Gift In Life Was Meeting The Love Of My Life.”

by Robert Richards

“The Greatest Gift In Life Was Meeting The Love Of My Life.”

“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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“Mother Told Me to Stay Away From Those Lesbians.”

by Sandy Warshaw

“Mother Told Me to Stay Away From Those Lesbians.”

7puGcsw-qCI“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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Arrested For Being Gay At 14 Years Old. “It Was Police Entrapment.”

by Harold Kooden

Arrested For Being Gay At 14 Years Old. “It Was Police Entrapment.”

My name is Harold Kooden, and I was born in Chicago. We moved to California, North Hollywood, California. At about eleven, I discovered quite accidentally in one of the johns in th...

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Gay Man Recounts His NYC Life in the 1960s

by Gilbert Parker

Gay Man Recounts His NYC Life in the 1960s

Gilbert Parker has had a full life. The retired literary and talent agent from William Morris Agency shares stories of his NYC life in the 1960s, which includes a comedic near-hook...

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I’m From Syracuse, NY – Video Story.

by Barb Genton

I’m From Syracuse, NY – Video Story.

Barb Genton was an elementary school teacher in a small, conservative town and remained closeted for most of her career. “I remained closeted and I dressed thinking that I was fo...

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I’m From Palm Springs, CA – Video Story.

by Gill

I’m From Palm Springs, CA – Video Story.

My name is Gill, I’m From Palm Springs, I’m a middle-aged guy, I came out 15 years ago so I’m still an adolescent as far as my gay life down here. That being said, I’m part...

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I’m From New York, NY – Video Story.

by Mitch

I’m From New York, NY – Video Story.

I’m Mitch and I’m from New York City, and I’ve lived here for 40 years now. And for years, and I think not unusual for someone of my generation, there was an enormous amount ...

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Satellite overhead image of New York State from Google Earth 2022

by Allen Roskoff

I’m From New York, NY – Video Story.

Allen Roskoff, New York. In the early 70s you have to bear in mind that there was nobody who was open. Any time homosexuals appeared on TV they had their faces digitized out or the...

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Unfortunately, this is all the stories we have in the What Was It Like? category.

I’m From Driftwood is producing new stories on an ongoing basis. Want to help us find more stories What Was It Like? stories? Let us know!