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 Trans Stories

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From NSYNC Cover Band Drag King to Coming Out at Work, Trans Man Shares Journey to Self-Acceptance

by Jay Beaulieu

From NSYNC Cover Band Drag King to Coming Out at Work, Trans Man Shares Journey to Self-Acceptance

My name is Jay Beaulieu, I’m from South Pasadena, California.  When I was six years old, I remember learning how to play basketball. I was on the court learning to shoot fre...

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Black, Lenape (Two-Spirit) Trans man, Darius, sits for interview. They are smiling and wearing a Phillies hat. They have a dark shirt on and wearing glasses.

by Darius McLean

How One Trans Couple Found Love During the Pandemic. “Don’t Be Afraid to Love and to Let It In.”

I am Darius McLean and I’m from Newfield, New Jersey.  About seven years ago I was working at the Mazzoni Center and the CHOP Gender Clinic. When I was working at Mazzoni Ce...

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Samantha's headshot: image of white transgender woman smiling at camera

by Samantha

“You Will Find Your Way.” Transgender Woman’s Multi-Stop–And Ongoing–Journey to Realizing Her Identity.

My name is Samantha. I’m from Houston, Texas.  When I was in college, just kind of finishing my degree at University of Texas in Austin, I started dating this guy whom I had...

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Headshot of Shellby, a Black trans nonbinary person. They are sitting in for their interview in a black blazer, wearing glasses and their braided hair is in a high bun.

by Shellby Forbes

Trans Nonbinary Person Thrives After Being Welcomed Back to Work with New Identity, Name, & Pronouns.

I did a lot of self-reflecting and I was able to self-identify as well as to allow myself, my inner Shellby, to come alive.I am Shellby Forbes. I am from Brooklyn, New York. So in early 2000s, I started in the finance industry working in retail banking. And during that timeframe, I started off as a tel...

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Daye Pope Headshot

by Daye Pope

“You’re My Child. I Want To Be There.” Iowa Mom Accompanies Daughter to Thailand for Gender-Confirming Surgery.

My name is Daye and I’m from Clear Lake, Iowa.  Growing up in the country, back home, I always knew that I was different. And I remember at one point when I was 10, actually...

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Xbox Game “Tell Me Why” Gives Trans Teen the Confidence to Be Himself. “I Was Finally in My Skin.”

by Evan

Xbox Game “Tell Me Why” Gives Trans Teen the Confidence to Be Himself. “I Was Finally in My Skin.”

I’m Evan, and I’m from Somers, New York.  When I was younger, I never really felt comfortable with the girly things or wearing dresses, playing with all the girl toys,...

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Trans Non-Binary Person Discovers Himself During the Pandemic. “I Feel Super Great to Have Dared.”

by Rio

Trans Non-Binary Person Discovers Himself During the Pandemic. “I Feel Super Great to Have Dared.”

Mi nombre es Río y soy de Sonora, México. En el 2015 estaba en un proyecto que se llamaba “Voces de mujeres, historias que transforman”, donde éramos un grupo de compañeras...

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K-Pop Band BTS Helps Trans Man Break Free of Gender Expectations. “I Didn’t Have to Fit into this Trans Box of What a Trans Man Should Be.”

by Kieran

K-Pop Band BTS Helps Trans Man Break Free of Gender Expectations. “I Didn’t Have to Fit into this Trans Box of What a Trans Man Should Be.”

My name is Kieran and I’m from Amarillo, Texas. It was 2016 and I was around 29 years old, and I’d been transitioning for about a year and a half at the time. Before I came out...

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Buffy and a Music Video Contributes to Trans Man Embracing His Identity. “You Deserve to Choose Yourself.”

by Bristtle

Buffy and a Music Video Contributes to Trans Man Embracing His Identity. “You Deserve to Choose Yourself.”

I’m Bristtle. I’m from Liberty, South Carolina. I remember I was 11 years old the first time I realized that I was queer. I was watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Willow and...

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Trans Activist Fights Back Against Police Harassment and Winds Up Changing the System. “I Really Found My Voice.”

by Deja Alvarez

Trans Activist Fights Back Against Police Harassment and Winds Up Changing the System. “I Really Found My Voice.”

My name is Deja Lynn Alvarez. I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In my early twenties being a trans woman here in Philadelphia, it was actually my birthday and a group of my fr...

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Whoopi, The Prom Musical, & A Day With a Trans Trailblazer: How One Lifelong Activist Rediscovered the Meaning of Pride.

by Cathy Renna

Whoopi, The Prom Musical, & A Day With a Trans Trailblazer: How One Lifelong Activist Rediscovered the Meaning of Pride.

My name is Cathy Renna and I am from Queens, New York. I had the incredible privilege and exhausting responsibility of working with New York City Pride when we were the host city f...

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After Leaving Cult, Nonbinary Person Comes into Own Identity. “They Call It Gender Euphoria.”

by Nox Kobus

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...

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