by Alex Williams

“I Am Who I Am, You Should Get Over It.” A Trans* Youth’s Path to Self-Acceptance.

I’m Alex Williams. I’m from Philadelphia. Growing up, I was raised very, very, like, Christian, just strict, like, down-your-throat kind of Christian religion. Before you can ...

by Penny Peck

“Queer is Weird.” I’m From Atlanta, GA.

Queer is weird. I was 13 when I began to realize I wasn’t straight. It’s not that I don’t like boys, I just like girls more. I went through a few labels trying to identify m...

by Keith Levy

“I’m A Freak And I Like Being A Freak.” Keith Levy On The Creation, Ups, And Downs of His Drag Persona Sherry Vine.

y name is Keith Levy, and I’m originally from Columbia, Maryland. I also am known as Sherry Vine, who’s a character I perform as. My entire life and vision was on this path of...

by Rudy Garcia

How Punk Music and Feminism Changed a Young Life.

My name is Rudy Garcia, and I’m from East L.A. I’m the last of eight children, and our family migrated here in the late ‘70s. My parents – at that point, by the time I rea...

by Mathew Shurka

Mathew Shurka Forgives His Father After Enduring Years of Conversion Therapy

My name is Matthew Shurka, I’m from Great Neck, New York, I’m 26 years old, and when I was 16, I came out to my father. My father gave me the best answer that any son can ask ...

by Noah Michelson

Dancing In His Underwear for the Garbage Man, Noah Embraced Queerness and Sexuality Since Childhood

I’m Noah Michelson and I’m from Racine, Wisconsin, which is a good place to go home to now but not a great place to grow up if you’re queer and especially in the 80s. And I ...

by Nephi Niven

Gay Student Stands Up To Homophobic Counselor.

I’m Nephi Niven and I’m from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When I started dating boys it was all secret and I wasn’t telling most of my friends. Actually hiding my actions made m...

by Amanda

IFD Archives: “Heterosexual, Transgender, Lesbian” Provides Hope to Young People.

My name is Amanda and I’m from Cazenovia, New York, small little town outside Syracuse, New York. When I first came to SAGE, which is an organization for elder LGBT, when I was ...

by John Russell Stanger

“My Religious Identity Is As Important To Me As My Sexual Identity.”

I’m the Reverend John Russell Stanger and I’m from Brazoria, Texas. I grew up on my family’s cattle ranch outside Brazoria. One of things I remember doing when I was about 1...