by Donald Bell

“A Matter of Life and Death.” Being Black and Gay in the 1960s.

“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 countDictionary Makes Gay Teen Feel Less Alone One of the significant characterizations of the period that I spent in high school in the mid-60s – from ‘63 to ‘67 was that one da1960s: “I Was in a Process of Falling in Love at First Sight.” One of my life experiences that I like to share dates back to my early teen years. Back in the 1960s, I was 19 yBeing Black and Gay in the 1960s: A Matter of Life and Death My late teen years, when I was at university, were times that were really life and death-related times for people my a“It Was Extraordinary”: Man Asks Man On A Date In 1967 Another significant incident from my youth, from my late adolescence, happened in 1967, my first year at university. I w“[My Mother’s] Number One Duty Was To Be An Accepting Parent.” I went to my first march on Washington 48 years ago in 1969 in the moratorium march against the war. And what Racism At A Gay Bar: “It Was Shocking. It Was Hurtful. I Teared Up Right There.” I did have some experiences from later in life that were significant to me. One happened aboutLiving In LGBT-Friendly Senior Housing: “We Live Like Neighbors. And That’s A Good Thing.” Today, I am 67. Well, actually, 67 and a half, as my grandson would tell you. And ...

by Michael Cox

“If You Can’t Be Your True Self [At Work], Maybe That’s Not The Right Employer.”

I’m Michael Cox, I’m from Harlan, Kentucky. So one time, I was on a flight sitting next to a person who was clearly a businessman, dressed in a suit, salt and pepper hair, muc...

by Jae Ratio

Gender Non-Binary Person “Got The Butterflies” From A Simple Work Document.

So my name is Jae Ratio and I’m born in Boulder City, Nevada. As a six, seven-year old, I don’t really know the specific age, I was living the trailer park and it was just me ...

by Bryan Blaise

“In That Moment, I Realized That She Got It.” A Mother Learns To Empathize With Gay Son.

I’m Bryan Blaise from Leesburg, Florida. Back when I was 22, I went home for the holidays. At that time I had started dating someone here in Chicago and decided I was going to t...

by Edna Redo

Learning of Late Mother’s Acceptance “Felt Like God Had Lifted Everything Off My Shoulders.”

My name is Edna Redo and I’m from Chicago. I went to Curie High School here in Chicago. Graduated in ‘86, 1986, rather. One year, my junior year of high school – my mother w...

by Matt Beierschmitt

“You Forgot Your Knife In My Car.” The Importance of Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Youth.

Hi, my name is Matt Beierschmitt, I’m from Collinswood, New Jersey. When I was 15 years old, I was on my family computer talking on AOL chatrooms and just to meet people and the...

by Melissa Driscol

Hateful Message From Friend Inspires Lesbian To Live More Honestly.

My name’s Melissa Driscol and I’m from Lorain, Ohio. So growing up, I had a lot of activities that I had to be a part of. And with that, my family in particular had a few frie...

by Thea Iberall

“There Was Just So Much Fear” About Being A Lesbian.

“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 count...

by Gina Grahame

Trans Woman Shuts Down Minister With Research, Notes, And A Highlighter.

TRANSCRIPT: Hi, I’m Gina Grahame, I’m from Detroit, Michigan. I came out as transsexual in 1992. I was 29 at the time. I always tell people that transitioning was my last reso...