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 Immigrant Stories
From Texas to Taiwan, Gay Man Overcomes Fear By Coming Out Again and Again
Hi, I’m Leon Yuan. I grew up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. As a teenager growing up in Taiwan, I always knew I was gay. My biggest fear at the time was that if I were to come out to ...
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...
After Homophobic Assault, Gay Middle Eastern Man Refuses to Hide His Identity. “Yes, I Identify as a Gay Man.”
My name is Jawad Bandar. I’m from the port city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. When I was 15 years old, still living in Jeddah, I happen to be the one of my friends who had the bigge...
After Escaping Certain Death in the Middle East, Gay Man Faces New Challenges In America.
It was 2003. It was a hot summer day. I was coming out of my work where I worked with an American company, crossing the bridge, trying to take a cab to go back home after a long da...
Nothing Can Stop This Gay, Undocumented Immigrant From Serving His Community.
My name is Christian Mendoza. I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I remember at the age of 5, my dad – he was a police officer in the narcotics and gang unit. Every time he w...
Gay Jamaican Man Escapes Violence And Seeks Asylum In The United States.
Hi, my name is Adrian. I am from St. Ann, Jamaica. I spent most of my life growing up with my mom in Jamaica. It was pretty difficult for me because I found out at an early age tha...
“My Life Was In Danger.” Genderqueer Venezuelan Seeks Asylum In The United States.
My name is Ilo and I’m from Caracas, Venezuela. When I was – it was 10 years ago, or something like that, I was in Venezuela. I used to practice medicine there. At the time, I ...
“She’s Going To Have To Go Back.” Binational Queer Couple Overcomes Terrifying Immigration Process.
My name is Brook Umbrell and I’m from Toledo, Ohio. In 2014, I decided that was going to be my Summer of Yes. A good friend of mine was doing a queer calendar at the time. She...
“To Close Off Is Not In Our Blood.” Parents Flee Iran, Accept Gay Son.
My name is Eric Namaky and I’m from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. My parents are originally from Tehran, Iran, where they were political activists in the late 70s. In 1979, the Shah shut ...
Candidate for Texas State Representative: “I’m the LGBTQ Son of an Undocumented Immigrant.”
My name is Huey Rey Fischer. I’m from Rockport, Texas. I grew up on the Texas coast and moved to Austin to study Latin American Studies and Government. Now I’m running for Stat...
Romanian Orphan Uninvited To Christmas By Adoptive Parents After Coming Out As Gay.
I’m Florin Helf and I’m from Bucharest, Romania. I was born in a Romanian hospital, my mother gave birth to me, falsified her identification, and fled the hospital. She left me...
Coming Out as an Undocumented Immigrant and Coming Out as a Queer Man.
My name is Carlos, Padilla, and I’m from Seattle, Washington. I was originally born in Guadalajara, Jadisco, Mexico, and I immigrated into the United States at the age of 2. For ...
Unfortunately, this is all the stories we have in the Immigrant category.
