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 Voices Stories
After Years of Searching, Queer Man Finds Community In Philadelphia. “This Is What A Family Feels Like.”
My name is Gabriel Marenco-Garcia and I’m from Tomball, Texas. I grew up in a predominantly Latinx household, which was also dominated by Catholicism. Even the location of where ...
“It Ain’t Over Till The Bisexual Speaks.” Activist Fights For Bi Inclusion Throughout The Decades.
From Living As A Straight Housewife to Becoming A Lesbian Activist. “It Was An Amazing Awakening.” I was conceived in Hawaii. This is how the story goes – conceived in Hawa...
Trans Woman Reflects On Her Four-Decade Journey To Authenticity.
1969: Trans Woman Reflects On Exploring Her Gender As A Child. “I Knew Inside Who I Really Was.” In 1969, I was 12 years old. I was living in Douglaston, Queens. And I had –...
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...
After Rejection From Family, Gender Non-Binary Person Learns To Live For Themselves. “I Am Ecstatic That I Am Me.”
My name is Parker Haines and I’m from Chicago, Illinois. When I was 22, I was sitting in a Friday’s restaurant with my mother. And I had just recently moved to Minneapolis, Min...
Gay Man Confronts Mental Illness, Addiction And His HIV Diagnosis With The Help Of Others. “I Found My Place In The Gay Community.”
So my name is Coleman Goode. I’m from Hallettsville, Texas. When I was 25 years old, I checked myself into a mental hospital because I tried to commit suicide. I, also, at that t...
“We Both Lost Our Girl-ginity to the Same Girl!” Brother and Sister Share Hilarious Coming Out Epiphany.
I’m Alex and I’m from Dubuque, Iowa. It was the summer after I had just graduated college with a degree in voice performance. I was living at home and studying with my old voic...
Kicked Out By His Mom, Queer High School Student Uses Newfound “Alone Time” To Explore His Sexuality.
My name is Darren Mallett. I am from East Flatbush, Brooklyn. My mother and I moved from Brooklyn to Tampa, Florida to escape New York. We lived in a one bedroom apartment, so I ca...
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...
Gay Man Reflects On Foster-To-Adopt Journey: “They Are Our Kids And They Were Purposely Chosen.”
I’m Gregory Yorgey-Girdy. I’m from Victoria, Texas. I moved to Philadelphia to attend law school. Once I got here, I met my husband Paul. When I met Paul, one of the things tha...
Trans Woman To Son: “Your Dad Is A Little Bit More Of A Wonder Woman Than A Superman.”
My name is Chloe Harris and I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I had a tough time when I was a kid. I was dealt a little bit of a bad hand in regard to family and environment. ...
Gender Non-Binary Person Reflects On Not Conforming. “It’s Okay To Be Fluid. It’s Okay To Just Be.”
My name is Jin. I’m from Aiea, Hawaii. I moved to New York City about maybe 8 years ago and 6 years ago I started becoming a sex worker. Unintentionally – it just kind of happe...
