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
“Where’s The Real Mother?” Lesbian Mom Confronts Microaggressions In Hospital After Daughter’s Birth.
I am Karen Rayne and I’m from Austin, Texas. Sixteen months ago, my wife was in labor and it was a planned home birth and a long labor that ended up with my wife having a fever, ...
Straight Daughter Of Lesbian Moms Responds To Uncomfortable Questions With Humor.
I’m Julia Heilrayne. I’m from Austin, Texas and I’m a sophomore in high school here. So when I was 10 years old, the summer before my third, er, before my fourth grade year, ...
Queer Parent Comes Out To Her Kids: “One Of The Most Liberating Things I’ve Ever Done.”
My name is Liz Leifer and I’m from Southern California. I had two bouts, actually, of coming out to my parents, my family. One of which was when I was 15 in 1985. My mother chalk...
“She’s Going To Have To Go Back.” Binational Queer Couple Overcomes Terrifying Immigration Process.
My name is Brook Umbrell and I’m from Toledo, Ohio. In 2014, I decided that was going to be my Summer of Yes. A good friend of mine was doing a queer calendar at the time. She...
From Kentucky Farm To Chicago Charm: One Trans Woman’s Whirlwind Journey.
“What Was It Like? Stories by LGBTQ Elders” is a new program by I’m From Driftwood, in partnership with Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider, and SAGE, the countr...
The Importance of Equal Access for Trans Youth.
Hi, my name is Sharron Cooks, I live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am originally from New Jersey. I have lived in Philadelphia for about 20 years. So when I was a lot younger, i...
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...
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...
I’m From Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
I went to an all-girls high school. I hope I don’t have to explain that the school wasn’t the making of my sexuality, but perhaps it helped to be in an environment where girls ...
I’m From Dubuque, IA.
There’s something you should know about me: I’m a liar. Don’t judge me. Because if the first thing you should know about me is that I’m a liar, the second is that I’m a t...
I’m From Middleburg Heights, OH.
I come from a quiet midwestern suburb of Cleveland. Hardly diverse and overall has a tone of intolerance just lurking below the surface for anything not white, straight, and modera...
I’m From Girardville, PA.
Colby and I met in 1991 when I was dating my ex and she was dating an abusive ex. Colby’s twin sister was dating my ex-husband’s best friend. Through his best friend, my ex bec...
