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 Gay Men Stories
After Standing Up to Abusive Father, Gay Immigration Lawyer Dedicates His Career to Helping Others.
My name is Will, I’m from Houston, Texas. From an early age, I realized I was different and didn’t fit in with other children my age. I loved the color purple and for...
“I’m a Son. I’m a Gay Man. I’m a Teacher. I’m a Christian.” Gay Man Learns to Embrace His Whole Self.
I’m Patrick Tirino. I’m from Astoria, New York. I always knew I was gay from a very, very small age. I could vividly remember a picture that’s still in my mother&...
Gay Activist Comes Out to Parents Before the Local News Does It for Him.
My name is Kris Banks and I’m from Alvin, Texas. So I was in law school, but I was also getting pretty heavily involved in local politics. I was starting to work with some of...
Flirty Butt Grab During “Godspell” Leads To “Bright, Light, & Wonderful” Perspective on Gay Life.
My name’s Daniel Holland. I’m from Clear Lake, Texas. It was in 1998. It was, like, butt cut season at Clear Lake High School. I was in my shell necklace, my cargo ...
From Texas to Taiwan, Gay Man Overcomes Fear By Coming Out Again and Again
Hi, I’m Leon Yuan. I grew up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. As a teenager growing up in Taiwan, I always knew I was gay. My biggest fear at the time was that if I were to come out to ...
Gay Sex Worker Finds Confidence In Himself & His Work. “What Is There To Be Ashamed Of?”
My name is Tomik Dash. I am from Brooklyn, New York. Nine years ago, I was living in London, England. I went there on the plan to be there for two weeks. All these things started h...
From Anderson Cooper to Heartstopper, Gay Man Learns the Value of Living for Himself.
My name is Kevin Bentley, and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. When I was 17, my brother came out as bisexual. He put it out there and was just, “This is it. No room for discussio...
Closeted Gay Athlete In Small Town Finds Hope in Will & Grace. “That Show Saved My Life.”
My name is Brandon Hines. I’m from Dublin, Georgia. When I was about, I would say 10 or so years old, I was very masculine, very into sports. I was the typical boy. I had a cousi...
From Dolls to Disney, Gay Artist Advises “Don’t Stop Your Children From Exploring Their Imagination.”
Hi there. My name is Jozef Szekeres and I’m from Sydney, Australia. As a boy, I knew that I was a little bit different from the other boys and girls. Well, actually, probably I w...
The Legend of Hippie Hollow: Sheriff’s Offhand Remark Helps Cement Austin as a Naked Gay Destination.
Hello. My name is Dennis Paddie. I was born in a little hamlet in Arkansas called Sardis. I came to Austin in 1965 to train for the Peace Corps. And in the course of living here ov...
Artist Thrives After Coming Out About Gay Porn Past. “After I Lost My Fear, All The Positive Things Started To Happen.”
My name is Anthony Camargo. I’m from Austin, Texas. 1995. I am living in South Beach. I have a gallery on the infamous Lincoln Road, and I have a client who comes in regularly to...
Closeted Gay College Athlete Learns to Speak Up For Others Following Transformative Pride Experience. “It Makes You A Better Person.”
Hi, my name is Dre’Quan Reed. I was born and raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I grew up in an area where it was pretty much a lot of masculinity going around. I had to presen...
