by Nicolas Hoover

I’m From Olympia, Washington.

I woke up that morning and it all came back—what I did the night before—it all came back to me in a flood, and my heart started to race: how I wrote it down, how I wrote it do...

by T.C.

I’m From Petersburg, Virginia.

I first realized I was gay in the 9th grade in high school, but chose to subdue my feelings for fears of what my parents may have done. You see my parents are not only super conse...

by Sam Adams

I’m From Newport, OR – Video Story.

Today’s Video Story was collected on the 50-state Story Tour. Check out the blog where you can follow us on our adventure. If you haven’t submitted a story yet to IFD, or ifMy name is Sam Adams. I’m originally from a small town on a the Oregon coast called Newport, Oregon.  And the story that has had a lot of impact on me was at a certain point in...

by Felix Montano

I’m From Los Angeles, California.

My name is Felix Montano and I am a gay 48-year-old first generation son of Cuban-American immigrant parents. My brother-in-law, married to my older sister, is Muslim. My mother a...

by Eric C.

I’m From New Jersey.

I had recently told my best friend Allie that I was gay. I was in high spirits for telling the first person ever who I really was. However, I wanted to meet a gay person, you know...

by Gay Lynn Costa and Kyle MceLwain

One Story. Two Perspectives.

NOTE: We collected the following two stories in Salt Lake City on the 50-state Story Tour. Gay Lynn Costa and her son, Kyle McElwain, hosted us while we were in SLC and were qu  I’M FROM CHOCTAW, OK. By Gay Lynn Costa When my son, Kyle, was fourteen years old, I asked him point-blank if he was gay. He admitted to me tearfully that he was. We hugg...

by Eli Effinger-Weintraub

I’m From Mattawan, MI.

When her first grandchild was born in the early 70s, my grandmother sent away to Bronner’s, Christmas kitsch capital of America, for a glass globe ornament with the baby’s nam...

by Jackson R.

I’m From Greensboro, NC.

I grew up in a Baptist home, and was raised by a country father and very religious mother. I have been attracted to men since I can remember. I remember going to swimming lessons ...

by Louis

I’m From Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

My story is not about me but about friends I worked with a couple of years ago. I work at IKEA which tries to foster an environment of diversity and respect. So back then, the dir...