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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“Dean…your boys want to know if Richard’s your lover.”

by Dean Ostrum

“Dean…your boys want to know if Richard’s your lover.”

Dean Ostrum was married to a woman and had four kids when he met the man he would fall in love with and later marry. Dean explains: There was no secret about [Richard] being a ver...

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“I’m Here To Talk To You About Marriage For Gay and Lesbian Couples” – Video Story.

by Steve Ryan and Jim Bishop

“I’m Here To Talk To You About Marriage For Gay and Lesbian Couples” – Video Story.

Steve Ryan and Jim Bishop are LGBTQ activists who were inspired by a summit put on by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Before they knew it, they were knocking on the doors ...

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I’m From Syracuse, NY – Video Story.

by Barb Genton

I’m From Syracuse, NY – Video Story.

Barb Genton was an elementary school teacher in a small, conservative town and remained closeted for most of her career. “I remained closeted and I dressed thinking that I was fo...

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Black Community Spotlight: Tyrone Smith

by Tyrone Smith

Black Community Spotlight: Tyrone Smith

I’m from Kinston, NC. To reinforce the sometimes overlooked fact that there are black people in the LGBTQ community, and also that there are LGBTQ people in the black comm...

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I’m From Syracuse, NY – Video Story

by Linda Mortimer

I’m From Syracuse, NY – Video Story

We received sad news yesterday that Linda “Sparky” Mortimer passed away early Monday morning. We met Sparky on the Story Tour in Syracuse at her restaurant, “Sparky Town,�...

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I’m From Delaware – Video Story.

by Larry Peterson

I’m From Delaware – Video Story.

My name is Larry Peterson, I’m originally from Kansas, I’ve lived all over the United States, but I’ve been Delaware since 1980, so Delaware is definitely home now. In my out...

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I’m From Toledo, OH – Video Story.

by Noran Wolf

I’m From Toledo, OH – Video Story.

Today’s Video Story was collected on the 50-state Story Tour. Check out the blog where you can read about the adventure we had and some of the stories we collected. If you have...

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I’m From Palm Springs, CA – Video Story.

by Gill

I’m From Palm Springs, CA – Video Story.

My name is Gill, I’m From Palm Springs, I’m a middle-aged guy, I came out 15 years ago so I’m still an adolescent as far as my gay life down here. That being said, I’m part...

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We’re From Ewa Beach, HI – Video Story.

by Stanley Scoffield and Laura Belding

We’re From Ewa Beach, HI – Video Story.

Today’s Video Story was collected on the 50-state Story Tour. Check out the blog where you can read about the adventure we had and some of the stories we collected. If you have...

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I’m From King City, CA – Video Story.

by David Phillips

I’m From King City, CA – Video Story.

This week, guest videographer and editor Jesse James Rice and I are accompanying the more than 3000 riders and volunteers of the AIDS LifeCycle and collecting their stories. If...

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State Satellite overhead image from Google Earth 2022

by Bob Katz

I’m From San Francisco, CA – Video Story.

This week, guest videographer and editor Jesse James Rice and I are accompanying the more than 3000 riders and volunteers of the AIDS LifeCycle and collecting their stories. If...

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I’m From Oswego, NY – Video Story.

by Sandy Davis

I’m From Oswego, NY – Video Story.

Today’s Video Story was collected on the 50-state Story Tour. Check out the blog where you can follow us on our adventure. If you haven’t submitted a story yet to IFD, or if ...

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