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
I’m From Brooklyn, NY.
Growing up in a religious Christian household hearing how “gays are going to hell in a hand basket” isn’t easy. Especially when you know in your heart of hearts that you are ...
“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...
Fighting Against Gay and HIV Stigma In Churches.
Dwayne Carl has a message for the world, and churches in particular: “I’m HIV-positive; GET OVA IT!” Dwayne’s been active in the church community his entire life and HIV-po...
“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 ...
Bisexual Ponders Fatherhood in Conservative Town – Video Story.
Henry Elliot is bisexual and wants to have a child. He has a male partner, though, and lives in the conservative town of Alamogordo, New Mexico. “There is a church on every stre...
I’m From Santo Domingo, Costa Rica.
I consider myself a lucky man, considering all that I have lived through. I was about 6 years old when I realized I was bisexual, but after 7 years of being bullied by females and ...
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...
I’m From Kent, OH.
When I was a small child, I prayed every day that God would change me into a girl. I got my wish with the help of hormone therapy and surgery at age 26. My life as a boy ended 35 y...
What Did You Think Of The Black Community Spotlight? Answer 10 Questions And Let Us Know!
Last week’s Black Community Spotlight was our very first of many Spotlight Weeks we have planned. Please take a few moments to answer just 10 questions so we can learn how to imp...
“I Approached All The Adults In The Kitchen And Let Them Know They Should Be Ashamed Of Themselves. I Am A Lesbian.”
I’m from Philadelphia, PA To reinforce the sometimes overlooked fact that there are black people in the LGBTQ community, and also that there are LGBTQ people in the black ...
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...
