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 Latinx Stories

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From Peer Pressure & Unhealthy Habits to Pride & Self Love: How One Gay Man Turned His Life Around.

by Dario Beck Torres

From Peer Pressure & Unhealthy Habits to Pride & Self Love: How One Gay Man Turned His Life Around.

My name is Dario Beck Torres, and I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So I grew up in a fairly religious environment. I remember one time being pulled aside by this lady. I didn&#...

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Trans Parenthood: Daughter’s Birth Inspires Woman to Live Authentically.

by Sharlot

Trans Parenthood: Daughter’s Birth Inspires Woman to Live Authentically.

Hi, I’m Sharlot and I am from San Antonio, Texas, originally.  I have a 3-year-old daughter. She was born three months before the start of the pandemic. And so I was still w...

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Back On Track: Gay Man Finds Fulfillment By Prioritizing His Dreams Over Partying & Distractions.

by Daniel

Back On Track: Gay Man Finds Fulfillment By Prioritizing His Dreams Over Partying & Distractions.

My name is Daniel. I’m from Guanajuato, Mexico. And when I was 15 years old, I moved to the United States, specifically Reno, Nevada. Ever since when I was a little kid, I al...

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Put It In Writing: Gay Man Learns Tough Lesson After Losing His Partner – and Everything They Built.

by Alfred Engstrand

Put It In Writing: Gay Man Learns Tough Lesson After Losing His Partner – and Everything They Built.

Hello, my name is Alfred Engstrand. I’m from San Antonio, Texas.  When I was 25 years old, I was approached by an older gentleman who needed my help to run his restaurant, b...

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Hate Hits Home: How One Queer Couple’s Lives Were Upended By the 2016 Election.

by Jovier Sanchez

Hate Hits Home: How One Queer Couple’s Lives Were Upended By the 2016 Election.

My name is Jovier Sanchez and I’m from New York, New York.  So I moved to Salem with my husband in 2015. We opened a candle store there and it was on the first floor of the&...

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Non-Binary Person Thrives After Finding Supportive Community. “I Feel Very Optimistic.”

by Vic

Non-Binary Person Thrives After Finding Supportive Community. “I Feel Very Optimistic.”

Hi, I’m Vic. I’m from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.    When I was younger, I felt like I knew I was different and my body was not mine. And the way I remembe...

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Lesbian Stops Seeking Mother’s Approval & Finds Peace. “I Have to Start Living For Myself.”

by Nina Hernandez

Lesbian Stops Seeking Mother’s Approval & Finds Peace. “I Have to Start Living For Myself.”

I’m Nina Hernandez and I’m from Austin, Texas. Starting from when I was about six years old, I started noticing that my mom would prefer if I like boys. I remember very...

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Out of the Closet, Into the Mayor’s Office. Todd Gloria’s Coming Out Journey Gives Hope to Others

by Todd Gloria

Out of the Closet, Into the Mayor’s Office. Todd Gloria’s Coming Out Journey Gives Hope to Others

Hi, my name is Todd Gloria, and I was born and raised in San Diego. I’m a third-generation San Diegan and I now serve as the mayor of my hometown.  I was probably about four...

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Gay Man Grateful After Coming Out to Parents: “You Never Know How Long We’re Going To Be Around.”

by Edison

Gay Man Grateful After Coming Out to Parents: “You Never Know How Long We’re Going To Be Around.”

My name is Edison and I’m from New York City. I grew up in a loving but extremely conservative household. My family, my parents were immigrants, are immigrants from Ecuador, ...

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Junior, a latino gay man stands in front of pink brick wall.

by Junior Suazo

First Love Compels Gay Man to Mend Fences with his Mom. “There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel.”

I’m Junior Suazo and I’m from Miami, Florida.  My family is from Nicaragua. I’m a first generation college graduate and I come from a Catholic background. Growin...

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Dina, a queer peruvian immigrant sits for interview.

by Dina Paolo Rodriguez

Queer Person Thrives After Choosing Theater Over Evangelism. “How Could It Possibly Be a Sin?”

My name is Dina Paolo Rodriguez. I’m from El Caja, Peru.  We immigrated to the US, to Miami, in the late nineties and my mom became a born again Christian, evangelical Chris...

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Tim, a gay man, sits smiling looking off to the side.

by Tim

Top, Bottom or Vers? Gay Man Defies Social Pressure and Comes Out as a Side.

I’m Tim, and I’m from Montclair, New Jersey.  I came out in three separate occasions over a summer. The first one was, “I think I might be gay.” And the se...

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