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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

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The Importance of Finding Your Tribe In The Gay Community.

by Robert Scott

The Importance of Finding Your Tribe In The Gay Community.

My name is Robert Scott and I’m from San Diego, California. My father was a periodic alcoholic, he would come home and tear up the house, I mean, not literally, but cause a great...

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The Impact of Meeting Harvey Milk: From Marching in A Protest to Making History in the Workforce.

by Ron Huberman

The Impact of Meeting Harvey Milk: From Marching in A Protest to Making History in the Workforce.

I’m Ron Huberman and I’m from Boston, Massachusetts. I first met Harvey Milk when I walked into his camera store on Castro. In the summer of 1975, I was teaching school at that...

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“We Didn’t Do It For Other People. We Did It For Ourselves.” Polyamorous Relationship Lasts 46 Years.

by Bob Lanning

“We Didn’t Do It For Other People. We Did It For Ourselves.” Polyamorous Relationship Lasts 46 Years.

My name is Bob Lanning and I’m from Altoona, Washington. Don and I met in San Francisco, October 1966. And we met at the Missouri Mule, and I heard him order a drink at the bar a...

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IFD Live: Gay Boss Leaves Impression Of A Lifetime.

by Sandi Marx

IFD Live: Gay Boss Leaves Impression Of A Lifetime.

It’s my first day at my first job and I am scared shitless. I am sitting in the reception area at J. Michael Bloom which was this huge popular talent agency at the time and I was...

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Blind Gay Man Discovers He’s Not Alone.

by George Ashiotis

Blind Gay Man Discovers He’s Not Alone.

I’m George Ashiotis and I grew up in Astoria Queens. Around the age of five, I was playing ball in the park with my father and my sister. I remember there was a blue ball that we...

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“I’m A Freak And I Like Being A Freak.” Keith Levy On The Creation, Ups, And Downs of His Drag Persona Sherry Vine.

by Keith Levy

“I’m A Freak And I Like Being A Freak.” Keith Levy On The Creation, Ups, And Downs of His Drag Persona Sherry Vine.

y name is Keith Levy, and I’m originally from Columbia, Maryland. I also am known as Sherry Vine, who’s a character I perform as. My entire life and vision was on this path of ...

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IFD Archives: “Heterosexual, Transgender, Lesbian” Provides Hope to Young People.

by Amanda

IFD Archives: “Heterosexual, Transgender, Lesbian” Provides Hope to Young People.

My name is Amanda and I’m from Cazenovia, New York, small little town outside Syracuse, New York. When I first came to SAGE, which is an organization for elder LGBT, when I was a...

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The Path of Acceptance vs. The Path of Rejection.

by Eric Thomas

The Path of Acceptance vs. The Path of Rejection.

My name is Eric Thomas and I’m from the Bronx NY. I had a high school friend who was one of my best friends, his name was Felix. We came out to each other in high school so we we...

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“I’ll Be Damned If I’m Going To Be Buried A Girl.” Gender Transition Gives HIV+ Trans Man Reason To Live

by Teo Drake

“I’ll Be Damned If I’m Going To Be Buried A Girl.” Gender Transition Gives HIV+ Trans Man Reason To Live

My name is Teo Drake, I actually grew up in Connecticut, near New Haven. The story basically is this intersection or this way of looking at my struggle around gender identity and t...

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“Love Conquers” As Woman Marries Trans Man

by Lillian

“Love Conquers” As Woman Marries Trans Man

Lillian always imagined herself marrying “a dark bald black man.” After years of being single and realizing she’s happy being by herself, she met Michael on a personals site....

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Richard Socarides Recalls Coming Out To His Dad, One of the Founders of Conversion Therapy

by Richard Socarides

Richard Socarides Recalls Coming Out To His Dad, One of the Founders of Conversion Therapy

While everyone’s coming out story is different, Richard Socarides’ might be one of the most unique. Richard, who served as President Clinton’s senior adviser on gay rights, e...

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AIDS Activist and Radio DJ Explain How Their Relationship Works

by Jim Schneider and Edward Strickler

AIDS Activist and Radio DJ Explain How Their Relationship Works

Edward Strickler would rather talk about his AIDS activism. Jim would rather talk about his favorite African guitarist, Diblo Dibala. They met in 1981 and have been together since....

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