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 Elders Stories
Trans Man Thought He Had It All—Until He Found His True Self
I am Criss Christoff Smith. I grew up on a farm in Jamaica. When I was about six years old, I was on my grandmother’s farm playing with my older brother. My grandmother ...
The Trans Woman Behind the NYC Subway Announcements
My name is Bernie Wagenblast. I’m from Cranford, New Jersey. I was four years old. I recall being at my grandmother’s house, sitting in front of her vanity, putting o...
Northampton—“Lesbianville, USA”—Faces Protest, Fear, and Flying Eggs at Its First Pride
I’m Jane Fleishman. I’m from Long Beach, New York and social justice is baked into my genes. I wanna tell you a story about how I got involved in the first Pride m...
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...
Lesbian Creates a Committee of Friends to Help Her Find Love. “I Couldn’t Trust My Own Decisions.”
I’m Meredith Morningstar. I’m originally from Dallas, Texas. My sister, in her eloquent way, diagnosed me with a broken picker. That means that I couldn’t pick ...
From Dolls to Disney, Gay Artist Advises “Don’t Stop Your Children From Exploring Their Imagination.”
Hi there. My name is Jozef Szekeres and I’m from Sydney, Australia. As a boy, I knew that I was a little bit different from the other boys and girls. Well, actually, probably I w...
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...
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...
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...
“He Lives with a Man. He’s Gay. You Get It?” Gay Man Describes Mother’s Journey to Acceptance.
I’m Jack Drescher. I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I originally came out to myself at the age of 21 in 1972. And as part of my coming out process, I gradually started telling peop...
With the Flick of a Wrist, Trans Woman Turns a Corner in Her Transition and Decides to Come Out at Work.
My name is Jami Shofner and I’m from Houston. Twenty years ago, which was back in the mid-nineties somewhere, I was doing stand-up comedy as a woman, and I was in a drag show in ...
God Compels Gay Christian to Accept Himself. “You’re Trying to Be Something You’re Not.”
I’m Rob Mundras and I am from East Windsor, New Jersey. When I was in my early twenties, I was an employee at a fast food restaurant, which was called Gino’s. And me and this o...
