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
Gay Man Recounts His NYC Life in the 1960s
Gilbert Parker has had a full life. The retired literary and talent agent from William Morris Agency shares stories of his NYC life in the 1960s, which includes a comedic near-hook...
Store Owner Finds Success After Being Open and Honest.
Philip Rafshoon wanted to open a gay bookstore. He went through all the normal challenges of starting a business but the most difficult was one he certainly wasn’t expecting. Whe...
“‘I Could Leave You’ is the Issue, Not Who I Will Leave You For.” A Bisexual’s Dilemma.
Lisa Morris, who identifies as bisexual, married a man when she was 29. We went to City Hall and got married. On a Tuesday morning at 10. I was in cutoffs and a tshirt, I think he...
“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...
“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 ...
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...
Tyrone Smith Reflects on Philly’s Black Gay Community Coming Together During the HIV/AIDS Crisis
My name is Tyrone Smith, I’m originally from Kinston, North Carolina but I’ve lived here in Philadelphia for most of my adult life. And I’m an openly, affirming African Ameri...
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,�...
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...
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...
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...
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...
