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
Near-Death Experience Results In Gay Man Coming Out
I’m Cristhian Escobar, I’m from Nicaragua, raised in New York City. And for the first few years of my life, I was separated from my mom and my dad as a result of being born in ...
1963: Boy Whipped In Front Of Entire School For Kissing Another Boy
I was born in London, England in 1951. I suppose by the age of 12 it was a rather important moment in my life when I was caught kissing a boy at a rather conservative private boys ...
“I Thought This Was The Women’s Room.” The Challenges of Gender Expression in the Workplace.
My name is Erika Miguel, and I’m from The Bronx, New York. From age 4 to age 18, I went to catholic school. Every morning at 6am I would put on a button-down, put on my tights, p...
Father Would Rather His Son “Be a Murderer in Jail” Than Be Gay.
My name is Lucas Mendieta and I’m from Greenville, South Carolina. When I was 15 years old I was at Spring Break with my friends down in Florida. And my sister got a hold of me a...
“Something Really Remarkable Happened” After Grandson Shows Coming Out Film Made For His Grandpa.
My name is Joshua Davy and I’m from Hong Kong. When I was 16, me and my mom were invited to the W Hotel in Guangzhou because we did two pieces of artwork there. And I remember du...
Challenging “The Clones” of Fire Island and Celebrating The Freaks at The Pyramid Club.
I’m Victor Mendolia and I’m from Selden, New York, which is on Long Island. When I was 16, I started going out to Fire Island, to Cherry Grove. I had recently left this born-ag...
Lesbian Couple In Hospital Humorously Experience “Being Seen First and Foremost In Terms of Your Difference.”
My name is Vera Whisman, I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma. But this story doesn’t happen in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My partner and I decided in the 90s, when a lot of lesbians were doing this...
“I Cannot Have Anything To Do With a Gay Son. Please Don’t Contact Me Anymore.”
Hi, my name is Lester Mayers and I’m from Brooklyn, New York. When I was 3 years old I lost my mom to complications of AIDS. And my father left me and I went to go live with my a...
“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 ...
Transgender High School Student Encounters Cyberbullying; Confronts Bully In Library.
Special thanks to the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley for being our partner for this story. My name is Olivia Page. I’m from Hilton, New York. I did the very unique thing of...
Grandma Finds Love Letter To Miss Universe, Sends Lesbian Granddaughter to Mental Hospital.
Special thanks to the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley for being our partner for this story. My name is Wanda Martinez-Johncox, born and raised in Puerto Rico. When I was littl...
“I’m Black, Jewish, But Guess What? I’m Also Gay.”
I’m Jason Daniel Fair, I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. My mom’s a white Jewish woman and my father is African American and his family is Christian. And we grew up at a time whe...
