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 Women Stories

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How a Queer Woman’s Life-Changing Haircut Set Her on a More Authentic Path. “It Was Like Freedom.”

by Natasha Sumner

How a Queer Woman’s Life-Changing Haircut Set Her on a More Authentic Path. “It Was Like Freedom.”

I’m Natasha Sumner and I am from Santa Rosa, California.  Growing up, I was a rough and tumble kid. I loved to be out in the dirt, out in nature. It was the place where I fe...

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Out of the Closet, Out of a Job: Following Discrimination, Lesbian Pursues Life of LGBTQ+ Activism

by Angie Harden

Out of the Closet, Out of a Job: Following Discrimination, Lesbian Pursues Life of LGBTQ+ Activism

My name is Angie Harden. I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  When I was 15, I got my first job. I was thrilled to have my first job. I was lucky enough to work at a recreational...

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From a Secret Wedding to Legal Marriage: A Lesbian Love Story in the Shadow of Prop 8

by KishaLynn Elliot

From a Secret Wedding to Legal Marriage: A Lesbian Love Story in the Shadow of Prop 8

My name is KishaLynn Elliot and I’m from San Diego, California.  One night in 2006, a friend of mine dragged me out for drinks in West Hollywood. We’re sitting at the ...

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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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Samantha's headshot: image of white transgender woman smiling at camera

by Samantha

“You Will Find Your Way.” Transgender Woman’s Multi-Stop–And Ongoing–Journey to Realizing Her Identity.

My name is Samantha. I’m from Houston, Texas.  When I was in college, just kind of finishing my degree at University of Texas in Austin, I started dating this guy whom I had...

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Danielle S Headshot

by Danielle Stanziale

From Hooking Up to Happily Ever After: A Lesbian Love Story That Defied The Odds.

My name is Danielle Stanziale. I’m from Queens, New York. It was the end of summer, eight years ago, and I was sitting outside The Duplex on Christopher and Seventh Avenue. M...

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Daye Pope Headshot

by Daye Pope

“You’re My Child. I Want To Be There.” Iowa Mom Accompanies Daughter to Thailand for Gender-Confirming Surgery.

My name is Daye and I’m from Clear Lake, Iowa.  Growing up in the country, back home, I always knew that I was different. And I remember at one point when I was 10, actually...

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Leoni Headshot

by Leoni Terblanche

Gay Woman Leaves Gendered Uniforms & Homophobic Colleagues Behind for a More Welcoming Workplace.

I’m Leoni Terblanche from Pretoria, South Africa.  Ever since I remember when I was a child, my mom put me in dresses, until age six, where I started making my own decisions...

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Headshot of Kimberly

by Kimberly

After Homophobic Encounter in Jamaica, Lesbian Moves To US and Becomes LGBTQIA+ Affirming Counselor.

My name is Kimberly. I’m from Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  When I was 10, I started at an all girls boarding school there. I remember getting there and I was pretty overwhelmed. I s...

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Swipes Right, Finds Love: Queer Undocumented Woman Falls in Love & Finds Herself Along the Way.

by Tashi Sanchez-Llaury

Swipes Right, Finds Love: Queer Undocumented Woman Falls in Love & Finds Herself Along the Way.

My name is Tashi Sanchez-Llaury and I am from Trujillo, Peru. It was after another breakup with another cishetero man. I personally think that it was a big rebound, but I think I t...

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Lesbian Creates a Committee of Friends to Help Her Find Love. “I Couldn’t Trust My Own Decisions.”

by Meredith Morningstar

Lesbian Creates a Committee of Friends to Help Her Find Love. “I Couldn’t Trust My Own Decisions.”

I’m Meredith Morningstar. I’m originally from Dallas, Texas.  My sister, in her eloquent way, diagnosed me with a broken picker. That means that I couldn’t pick ...

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From Dance Class to Bible Study to Basic Training, Queer Woman Finally Finds Her Identity.

by Staci Molinar

From Dance Class to Bible Study to Basic Training, Queer Woman Finally Finds Her Identity.

My name is Staci Molinar, and I’m from Chicago, Illinois. I grew up in an upper-middle class suburb that was very diverse, and very inclusive, and welcoming for all individuals. ...

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