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 Black Stories
Gay Teacher Goes From Closeted Student to Queer Role Model
My name is Philip Marcus. I’m from the Bronx, New York. As long as I can remember, I knew that I was different. I knew that I was gay. Because I went to an all boys Catholi...
Bisexual Awakening from a Life-Changing Kiss
My name is Karine. I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I grew up in a very conservative… conservative environment in Haiti. We went to church every week, sometimes twice a week....
Oprah, Rap & Naked Yoga: One Gay Man’s Coming Out Journey to Finding His Community
Hi, I’m Daniel, from Houston, Texas. When I was 11 years old, I was at my aunt’s house and my mom happened to be watching an episode of Oprah. I noticed it was...
From Peer Pressure & Unhealthy Habits to Pride & Self Love: How One Gay Man Turned His Life Around.
My name is Dario Beck Torres, and I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So I grew up in a fairly religious environment. I remember one time being pulled aside by this lady. I didn&#...
X-Men & Real-Life Heroes Inspire Gay Man to Become a “Super Lawyer”
Hi, I’m Rick Anderson. I’m from Pearland, Texas. I grew up in the Clear Lake, Friendswood area in my early childhood in the eighties and nineties. And it was a communit...
Gender-Affirming Care Leads Trans Woman From Sex Work & Prison to Motherhood, Marriage, and a Career
I’m Tabytha Gonzalez, pronouns she and her, and I’m from Newark, New Jersey. I first came to New York City. I was with my dance crew, or a dance crew that I was a par...
Shirtless Trans Man on a Beach Changes Stranger’s Life. “It is Super Important to See Our Marks.”
My name is Terrence Francois. I’m from Brooklyn, New York, also known as Indigenous Land of the Lenape people. So it’s 2021. We’re a year into the pandemic. The y...
Queer Man Leaves Behind Homophobic & Racist Microaggressions at Corporate Job & Thrives in the Arts
Hi, I’m Jeremy Rashad Brown. I am from Waxahachie, Texas. Seventeen years ago, I went to UT where I majored in American studies and music business. And upon graduati...
“Now It’s Time to Tell My Granddaughter.” Trans Woman Finds Love & Support After Coming Out to Family.
I’m Christynne Lili Wrene Wood, 66 years old. I’m originally from Springfield, Ohio. I’m one of those who knew from a very early age, four years of age actually...
From a Secret Wedding to Legal Marriage: A Lesbian Love Story in the Shadow of Prop 8
My name is KishaLynn Elliot and I’m from San Diego, California. One night in 2006, a friend of mine dragged me out for drinks in West Hollywood. We’re sitting at the ...
How One Trans Couple Found Love During the Pandemic. “Don’t Be Afraid to Love and to Let It In.”
I am Darius McLean and I’m from Newfield, New Jersey. About seven years ago I was working at the Mazzoni Center and the CHOP Gender Clinic. When I was working at Mazzoni Ce...
Trans Nonbinary Person Thrives After Being Welcomed Back to Work with New Identity, Name, & Pronouns.
I did a lot of self-reflecting and I was able to self-identify as well as to allow myself, my inner Shellby, to come alive.I am Shellby Forbes. I am from Brooklyn, New York. So in early 2000s, I started in the finance industry working in retail banking. And during that timeframe, I started off as a tel...
