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 Gender Stories

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Trans Woman Comes Out To Colleagues, Who Welcome Her With Open Arms.

by Jessica Soukup

Trans Woman Comes Out To Colleagues, Who Welcome Her With Open Arms.

Hi, my name is Jessica Soukup. I’m from Austin, Texas. I currently work at Texas State University. I’ve been here now for 11 years. About five years ago, I came to a revelation...

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Traumatic House Fire Experience Leads Genderqueer Person To Accept Themselves: “The More I Go Down this Journey, the Happier I Become.”

by Emmet Hunker

Traumatic House Fire Experience Leads Genderqueer Person To Accept Themselves: “The More I Go Down this Journey, the Happier I Become.”

Hi. My name is Emmet Hunker and I’m from Washington DC. I had just gotten back from my solo travels around the world, and I was sitting on the couch of a friend who I was crashin...

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Trans Person Finds Community And Gender Euphoria In Philadelphia. “It’s Not Going To Be An Easy Road, But It’s Worth It.”

by Sunny Marks

Trans Person Finds Community And Gender Euphoria In Philadelphia. “It’s Not Going To Be An Easy Road, But It’s Worth It.”

My name’s Sunny Marks. I am from Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. In 2016, I came out as a lesbian, as a Butch lesbian or stud, to my family and friends. It was definitely a difficult ...

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Trans Woman Reflects On Her Four-Decade Journey To Authenticity.

by Nancy Menusan

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 –...

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“I Started Living My Life Instead Of Surviving It.” Mom Helps Trans Son Realize His Gender Identity.

by Matthew Lewellyn

“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...

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After Rejection From Family, Gender Non-Binary Person Learns To Live For Themselves. “I Am Ecstatic That I Am Me.”

by Parker Haines

After Rejection From Family, Gender Non-Binary Person Learns To Live For Themselves. “I Am Ecstatic That I Am Me.”

My name is Parker Haines and I’m from Chicago, Illinois. When I was 22, I was sitting in a Friday’s restaurant with my mother. And I had just recently moved to Minneapolis, Min...

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Trans Woman To Son: “Your Dad Is A Little Bit More Of A Wonder Woman Than A Superman.”

by Chloe Harris

Trans Woman To Son: “Your Dad Is A Little Bit More Of A Wonder Woman Than A Superman.”

My name is Chloe Harris and I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I had a tough time when I was a kid. I was dealt a little bit of a bad hand in regard to family and environment. ...

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Gender Non-Binary Person Reflects On Not Conforming. “It’s Okay To Be Fluid. It’s Okay To Just Be.”

by Jin

Gender Non-Binary Person Reflects On Not Conforming. “It’s Okay To Be Fluid. It’s Okay To Just Be.”

My name is Jin. I’m from Aiea, Hawaii. I moved to New York City about maybe 8 years ago and 6 years ago I started becoming a sex worker. Unintentionally – it just kind of happe...

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Trans Actor Produces His Own Uplifting Film – With An All Trans Cast And Crew.

by Morgan Sullivan

Trans Actor Produces His Own Uplifting Film – With An All Trans Cast And Crew.

My name is Morgan Sullivan and I am from Westchester, New York. I’m an actor. I’ve been acting since I was about 8 years old. And I moved into the city about 6 years ago to go ...

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Egyptt LaBeija – Life In And Out Of The Ballroom.

by Egyptt Labeija

Egyptt LaBeija – Life In And Out Of The Ballroom.

1980s: Seeing Trans Women For The First Time: “I Felt Welcomed.” I grew up in a town in Long Island called Freeport. And I grew up basically in a middle-class home. My parents ...

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Trans Woman Shares Her Journey To Authenticity. “It’s A Fantastic Life When You Could Be The Person You’ve Always Been Inside.”

by Gennifer Herley

Trans Woman Shares Her Journey To Authenticity. “It’s A Fantastic Life When You Could Be The Person You’ve Always Been Inside.”

My name is Gennifer Herley. I’m from Seaford, New York. I met my ex-wife when I was 19 and she was 17. We were dating for several years and she lived at home and I lived at home,...

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“I’m Your Granddaughter Now.” Trans Woman Reveals Her Authentic Self To Grandmother.

by Robyn Sheopersad

“I’m Your Granddaughter Now.” Trans Woman Reveals Her Authentic Self To Grandmother.

I’m Robyn Sheopersad and I’m from Queens, New York. In 1996, my mother died of a car accident. I had no parental figure really around because my father went into a depression a...

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