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

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Gay Sex Worker Finds Confidence In Himself & His Work. “What Is There To Be Ashamed Of?”

by Tomik Dash

Gay Sex Worker Finds Confidence In Himself & His Work. “What Is There To Be Ashamed Of?”

My name is Tomik Dash. I am from Brooklyn, New York. Nine years ago, I was living in London, England. I went there on the plan to be there for two weeks. All these things started h...

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From Anderson Cooper to Heartstopper, Gay Man Learns the Value of Living for Himself.

by Kevin Bentley

From Anderson Cooper to Heartstopper, Gay Man Learns the Value of Living for Himself.

My name is Kevin Bentley, and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. When I was 17, my brother came out as bisexual. He put it out there and was just, “This is it. No room for discussio...

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“I Felt This Sense of Coming Home.” The Importance of Lesbian Bars Like Cubbyhole and Henrietta Hudson.

by Kinsey

“I Felt This Sense of Coming Home.” The Importance of Lesbian Bars Like Cubbyhole and Henrietta Hudson.

I’m Kinsey and I’m from Detroit, Michigan. Almost three years ago, I moved to New York from Detroit. I moved here for many reasons, one of them being, that I was looking for mo...

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Closeted Gay Athlete In Small Town Finds Hope in Will & Grace. “That Show Saved My Life.”

by Brandon Hines

Closeted Gay Athlete In Small Town Finds Hope in Will & Grace. “That Show Saved My Life.”

My name is Brandon Hines. I’m from Dublin, Georgia. When I was about, I would say 10 or so years old, I was very masculine, very into sports. I was the typical boy. I had a cousi...

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New Country, New Style, New Hair Brings Out the Swagger in Gender Nonconforming Woman.

by Vi Andrews

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...

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Closeted Gay College Athlete Learns to Speak Up For Others Following Transformative Pride Experience. “It Makes You A Better Person.”

by Dre'quan Reed

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...

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Gay Man Acknowledges Sexuality at High School Retreat, Then Comes Out To Mom. “I Will Not Allow Darkness To Creep Over My Life.”

by Trevor McCray

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...

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Gay Man Confronts Mother Over Microaggression. “Why Did You Introduce Him to Everybody Just as My Friend?”

by John Bronston

Gay Man Confronts Mother Over Microaggression. “Why Did You Introduce Him to Everybody Just as My Friend?”

I’m John Bronston. I’m from Richmond, Indiana. And it was the Thanksgiving after my sister passed away, I had just turned 30 years old and I was bringing home a boyfriend for t...

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Despite Homophobia and Bullying, Gay Haitian Comes Out and Learns Strength and Patience. “We Have to Have That Patience to Teach Them How to Love Us.”

by Dimitry Etienne

Despite Homophobia and Bullying, Gay Haitian Comes Out and Learns Strength and Patience. “We Have to Have That Patience to Teach Them How to Love Us.”

I’m Dimitry Etienne. I’m from Carrefour Marin in Haiti. Growing up there, being in school, there were words that people would use that I had no concept of because we lived so f...

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Lesbian Mom Protects Her Kids From Their Homophobic Grandfather. “You Won’t Disrespect Them.”

by Chevon Cleveland

Lesbian Mom Protects Her Kids From Their Homophobic Grandfather. “You Won’t Disrespect Them.”

I am Chevon Cleveland and I am from Yonkers, New York. When I was 17 years old, my mom passed away. But my -, and I never knew my dad up until that point. In 2015, I was turning 35...

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At His Lowest Point, Gay Man Finds Escape in Creating Music. “I’m Happier Than I’ve Ever Been.”

by Kelvin Bloodsaw

At His Lowest Point, Gay Man Finds Escape in Creating Music. “I’m Happier Than I’ve Ever Been.”

Hi, my name is Kelvin Bloodsaw. I’m from Martinez, California. I grew up in Philadelphia. I was raised by my mom, single mother. We lived with my grandmother. Ever since I was yo...

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High School Bully Instills Confidence In Gay Classmate. “Remind Yourself of the Truth.”

by Remy Wilbanks

High School Bully Instills Confidence In Gay Classmate. “Remind Yourself of the Truth.”

Hi, my name is Remy Wilbanks. I am from Chicago, Illinois. My story kind of starts out with my mom falling down a flight of stairs, aand she had me prematurely at one pound, five o...

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