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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Justin, a gay Filipino man sits for interview in a kitchen. He is smiling with a blue tshirt and a microphone clipped to his collar.

by Justin Senense

After Coming Out to Filipino Immigrant Parents, Gay Man Learns to Stop Seeking Approval From Others.

I’m Justin Senense, and I’m from Abilene, Texas. I was raised under three pillars. I would say for a Filipino family, it was always food, then it was family, and then i...

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Leoni Headshot

by Leoni Terblanche

Gay Woman Leaves Gendered Uniforms & Homophobic Colleagues Behind for a More Welcoming Workplace.

I’m Leoni Terblanche from Pretoria, South Africa.  Ever since I remember when I was a child, my mom put me in dresses, until age six, where I started making my own decisions...

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TikTok Helps Genderqueer Teen Realize Their True Self. “This is Who I Am. This is How I Feel.”

by Li

TikTok Helps Genderqueer Teen Realize Their True Self. “This is Who I Am. This is How I Feel.”

My name is Li. I’m from Somers, New York.  My parents never forced gender norms on me. I never had super masculine or feminine toys as a kid or clothing. They let me lean to...

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Headshot of Kimberly

by Kimberly

After Homophobic Encounter in Jamaica, Lesbian Moves To US and Becomes LGBTQIA+ Affirming Counselor.

My name is Kimberly. I’m from Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  When I was 10, I started at an all girls boarding school there. I remember getting there and I was pretty overwhelmed. I s...

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Gay Man Loses Loved One to Addiction & Learns “It Wasn’t Up to Me. It Was Up to Him.”

by Peter Horjus

Gay Man Loses Loved One to Addiction & Learns “It Wasn’t Up to Me. It Was Up to Him.”

So my name is Peter Horjus. I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan.  I moved to New Orleans where we are now about 22 years ago. Frank and I met, my gosh, I guess it must have been...

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Queer Woman with brown hair, glasses, and golf hoop earrings smiles at the camera. She is wearing a button up shirt with tigers on it sitting in a blue chair.

by Rachel Reyes

Queer Woman Shares Her Path to Parenthood: “Being Queer Wasn’t Going to Stop Me from Being a Mother.”

My name is Rachel Reyes. I’m from Sicklerville, New Jersey. I’ve known since I was a kid, maybe 16, that I wanted to be a mother. I always used to say that I wanted sev...

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After Being Called the F-Word at a Straight Wedding, Gay Man Immerses Himself in the Queer Community.

by Marc Barrett

After Being Called the F-Word at a Straight Wedding, Gay Man Immerses Himself in the Queer Community.

My name is Marc Barrett, and I’m from Belchertown, Massachusetts.  In the late 70s, when I was basically on the road with a band as a musician and entertainer, I had to watc...

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After Standing Up to Abusive Father, Gay Immigration Lawyer Dedicates His Career to Helping Others.

by Will

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...

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Swipes Right, Finds Love: Queer Undocumented Woman Falls in Love & Finds Herself Along the Way.

by Tashi Sanchez-Llaury

Swipes Right, Finds Love: Queer Undocumented Woman Falls in Love & Finds Herself Along the Way.

My name is Tashi Sanchez-Llaury and I am from Trujillo, Peru. It was after another breakup with another cishetero man. I personally think that it was a big rebound, but I think I t...

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“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.

by Patrick Tirino

“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&...

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Gay Activist Comes Out to Parents Before the Local News Does It for Him.

by Kris Banks

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...

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Flirty Butt Grab During “Godspell” Leads To “Bright, Light, & Wonderful” Perspective on Gay Life.

by Daniel Holland

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 ...

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