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 Queer Stories
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...
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...
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...
College Student Finds His Queer Voice Studying Abroad in Rome. “It’s Been Incredibly Liberating.”
Hey, I’m Paolo Lee, and I am from Glendora, New Jersey.Hey, I’m Paolo Lee, and I am from Glendora, New Jersey. I’ve always been a musician. Music is in my family. I’ve been a singer-songwriter. I’ve learned how to play piano. B...
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...
Financial Planner Finds Their Life Purpose – And Their Own Identity – In Helping Other Queer & Trans People
My name is River Nice and I am from Toms River, New Jersey. So in 2016, I was new to Philly and I was working at this tech startup. Part of what I liked about working at the tech s...
After Hitting Rock Bottom, Trans Person Finds Inspiration in Helping Others. “Not Every Queer Kid Out There Has the Support of Their Families.”
I’m River Francis. I’m from Bar Harbor, Maine. When I was six years old, I saw an episode of Night Court, which featured a trans person. And for the first time I realized that ...
Queer Iraqi Woman Breaks Down the Closet Door. “This Is Not a Way to Live.”
I’m Alaa Wasfie. I’m from Baghdad, Iraq. In 2003, I was 13 years old during the American-Iraqi war. My grandmother wanted us, the entire family, to be together in one house so ...
Trans Man’s Father Goes From Apprehensive to Ally: “I Know That My Dad Is In My Corner.”
Hi, I’m Grey Pierce. I’m from Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania. So I was in my last quarter of my freshman year at Oberlin College and I was taking my exams. Since I had been living o...
After Therapist Outs Student To Parents & Turns School Against Her, Trans Teen Finds a Way to Thrive.
I’m Arielle Rebekah. I am from Harrington Park, New Jersey. I struggled with depression my entire life. And when I was 17 years old, I became so depressed that my parents decided...
Queer Black Woman Stops Letting Others Define Her. “I Am Queer. I’m African-American. I’m Very Happy in My Own Skin.”
Hi, I’m Michelle from Austin, Texas. I was here in Austin and applying for the Air Force Academy and West Point, the US Military Academy and was submitting my documentation to th...
