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
Queer Woman Honors Friend’s Life By Coming Out And Living Fearlessly.
My name is Jina and I’m from Marietta, Georgia. When I was growing up in Marietta, which is this majority white conservative suburb of Atlanta, I was very much an outsider. I als...
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...
“If My Personality Is Multifaceted, Why Can’t My Experiences Be?” Queer South Asian Embraces How He Doesn’t Fit Perfectly Anywhere.
Hi, I’m Darshan Shah. I’m from Lake Mary, Florida. It was my sophomore year at the University of Florida. New to coming out, just kind of came out to my closest group of friend...
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...
New Country, New Style, New Hair Brings Out the Swagger in Gender Nonconforming Woman.
My name is Vi Andrews and I’m from Miami, Florida. I’m living at my parents’ house at this time. It was at the midway point of COVID. It’s been about a year and a half, and...
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...
Gay Man Acknowledges Sexuality at High School Retreat, Then Comes Out To Mom. “I Will Not Allow Darkness To Creep Over My Life.”
I’m Trevor McCray and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. In my family, there’s a rule – I don’t know about yours – but it’s an unspoken rule that family business stays wit...
Non-Binary Person Inspired to Explore Gender Identity and Leave Toxic Ex During COVID Lockdown. “I Had Finally Chosen Myself.”
I’m Taylor McKenzi and I’m from Austin, Texas. When I was younger, I knew that I wasn’t like the other little girls around me. When we would play pretend I would often choose...
Gay Man Reconciles Faith and Sexuality After Profanity-Laden Defense of Mother at Church.
Hi, I’m Danny Lopez. I am from Austin, Texas. Thirteen, 14 years ago, I started dating this guy. Everything was going good and well. Unfortunately, he was outed. In a way I was h...
Oscar-Winning Movie About Drag Queens Gives Teen Courage To “Live as Out Loud as I Possibly Could.”
My name’s Wallace West and I’m from Houston, Texas. Coming of age in very conservative Texas, that’s still very conservative, I didn’t see much of myself in movies. I was e...
After Gay Man Comes Out as HIV+, Parents Evolve From Ambivalence to Activism. “I Couldn’t Be More Proud of Them.”
My name is Bart Loeser and I’m from Houston, Texas. So it was summer, early summer of 1986. And my best friend who was my roommate previously had just moved to San Francisco a co...
1980 Shooting At A Gay Bar Leads Gay Man To Learn Resiliency at the Onset of the AIDS Epidemic.
My name is Kevin Usher. I grew up in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. November 19th, 1980, me, a recent graduate from Boston Conservatory, living in Greenwich Village. I had a good friend,...
