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 Sexuality Stories

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Gay Man Forgives His Family For Traumatic Childhood. “I Did That For Myself Because I Needed To Heal.”

by Luis

Gay Man Forgives His Family For Traumatic Childhood. “I Did That For Myself Because I Needed To Heal.”

Hello. My name is Luis and I’m from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. My mother was intermittently present. She used to live in a different city. My father wasn’t around or was...

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Queer Black Man To Grandmother: “He’s My Fiance And If You Don’t Get That, You Don’t Have To Come To The Wedding.”

by Terry

Queer Black Man To Grandmother: “He’s My Fiance And If You Don’t Get That, You Don’t Have To Come To The Wedding.”

My name is Terry. I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up, I was really close to my grandmother. I lived with her for times. My mother and I lived with her for months or maybe a...

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Woman Stands Up Against Biphobia In The LGBTQ community: “I Have To Be Who I Am.”

by Evonna McDonald

Woman Stands Up Against Biphobia In The LGBTQ community: “I Have To Be Who I Am.”

My name is Evonna McDonald and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. So it was the summer going into high school right after middle school where I decided to explore my sexuality. A real...

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After Hitting Rock Bottom, Gay Man Adopts A Dog. “I Have A Great Life With An Amazing, Little, Bitchy Dog.”

by Rob Garofalo

After Hitting Rock Bottom, Gay Man Adopts A Dog. “I Have A Great Life With An Amazing, Little, Bitchy Dog.”

Hi. My name’s Rob Garofalo. I’m from Parsippany, New Jersey. I’ve led a pretty charmed life or a life of privilege and then, you know, at about the age of 39 or right before ...

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Gay Man’s Life Changes After Adoption Of Son. “He’s The Most Important Thing In My Life Right Now.”

by Tariem Burroughs

Gay Man’s Life Changes After Adoption Of Son. “He’s The Most Important Thing In My Life Right Now.”

Hi. My name’s Tariem Burroughs and I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My partner and I, we always knew we wanted to have kids, even when we first met. Luckily a person that I ...

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After Years of Searching, Queer Man Finds Community In Philadelphia. “This Is What A Family Feels Like.”

by Gabriel Marenco-Garcia

After Years of Searching, Queer Man Finds Community In Philadelphia. “This Is What A Family Feels Like.”

My name is Gabriel Marenco-Garcia and I’m from Tomball, Texas. I grew up in a predominantly Latinx household, which was also dominated by Catholicism. Even the location of where ...

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“It Ain’t Over Till The Bisexual Speaks.” Activist Fights For Bi Inclusion Throughout The Decades.

by Lani Ka'ahumanu

“It Ain’t Over Till The Bisexual Speaks.” Activist Fights For Bi Inclusion Throughout The Decades.

From Living As A Straight Housewife to Becoming A Lesbian Activist. “It Was An Amazing Awakening.” I was conceived in Hawaii. This is how the story goes – conceived in Hawa...

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“We Tolerate You. Isn’t That Enough?” How A Father Grew To Embrace His Queer Son.

by Peter Zook

“We Tolerate You. Isn’t That Enough?” How A Father Grew To Embrace His Queer Son.

I’m Peter Zook and I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio. So I came out when I was 16. First, my mom – at first, I told my mom. It was during the summer after my sophomore year of high s...

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After Addiction Ends His Political Career, Gay Man Bounces Back And Finds A New Purpose In Life.

by Aaron Lawlor

After Addiction Ends His Political Career, Gay Man Bounces Back And Finds A New Purpose In Life.

My name is Aaron Lawlor and I’m from Vernon Hills, Illinois. At the age of 21, I was appointed to my local library board. By 23, I was elected president of that board. My career ...

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Nothing Can Stop This Gay, Undocumented Immigrant From Serving His Community.

by Christian Mendoza

Nothing Can Stop This Gay, Undocumented Immigrant From Serving His Community.

My name is Christian Mendoza. I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I remember at the age of 5, my dad – he was a police officer in the narcotics and gang unit. Every time he w...

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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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Gay Man Confronts Mental Illness, Addiction And His HIV Diagnosis With The Help Of Others. “I Found My Place In The Gay Community.”

by Coleman Goode

Gay Man Confronts Mental Illness, Addiction And His HIV Diagnosis With The Help Of Others. “I Found My Place In The Gay Community.”

So my name is Coleman Goode. I’m from Hallettsville, Texas. When I was 25 years old, I checked myself into a mental hospital because I tried to commit suicide. I, also, at that t...

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