by Egyptt Labeija

1980s: Seeing Trans Women For The First Time: “I Felt Welcomed.” I grew up in a town in Long Island called Freeport. And I grew up basically in a middle-class home. My parentsLate 1980s: Overcoming Homelessness, Joblessness And Abuse: “There’s Always a Way Out Of A Bad Situation If You Want A Way Out.” In the late eighties, when I finally left myLate 1990s: From Walking Balls To Mentoring Youth: “It Taught Me That You Have To Step Outside The Box.” In the late nineties is when I went to my first ball. It was interesti2010s: Giving Back To The Community. “I Am Here Today To Let People Know That They Are Somebody.” So in 2015 is when I was asked to be in the House of LaBeija. It was intense ...

by Gennifer Herley

My name is Gennifer Herley. I’m from Seaford, New York. I met my ex-wife when I was 19 and she was 17. We were dating for several years and she lived at home and I lived at home...

by Robyn Sheopersad

I’m Robyn Sheopersad and I’m from Queens, New York. In 1996, my mother died of a car accident. I had no parental figure really around because my father went into a depression ...

by Elizabeth Coffey Williams

Trans Woman Reflects On Her Journey: “It Was Real For Me And I Was Okay With It.” Yeah, I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and when I was five years old, my parents moved to P1972: Trans Actress Makes Her Debut In Empowering Scene In John Waters Film. I first met John Waters peripherally in the basement of a church at the premiere of one of his earlie“You’re Not A Suitable Candidate.” Trans Woman Seeking Surgery Faces Resistance From Doctors. I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and then I was raised in Philadelphia, and t Trans Pioneer On The Importance Of Authenticity: “You Were Born With The Right To Be Happy.” I think if you are open to knowing some transgender folk, and I don’t know how...

by Daphne Overbeck

My name is Daphne Overbeck. I am from Roseland, New Jersey. The year is 2013. It’s mid-February. I wake up at 7:00 AM in my ex’s place in Jersey City and I have to make it to ...

by Marcella Andrews

I am Marcella Andrews and I am from Madison, Wisconsin. I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and went to high school there. I have a distinct memory in high school of being in the ha...

by Kyler Wilson

My name is Kyler Wilson and I’m from Boise, Idaho. I think I was 8 or 9. My mom began finding suicide notes that I had written about how my family would be better off without me...

by Blair Perry

I’m Blair Perry and I am from Boulder, Colorado. When I was five, my sister dressed me up in a bunch of princess clothes and she put this hair on me that – it wasn’t even re...

by Gloria Allen

“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 countGrowing Up On A Farm In Kentucky: “I Didn’t Know Anything About Being Different.” I was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky. We lived on a farm and we all lived together. It wasLate 1950’s: “If It Wasn’t For These Women, I Wouldn’t Be Here Today.” It was the late fifties when we got to Chicago. These amazing women, the three women – my motherSexual Assault in the Early 1960’s: “Why Did I Have To Be Treated Like That?” I went to high school here. Englewood High School, I remember going to Englewood. In 1962, I reAfter Friend’s Murder, “I Became Aware And Scared For Myself.” In 1962, I remember, I had dropped out of high school but I went back to finish it up. So I graduated in 1965.Leaving An Abusive Relationship In The Late 1970’s: “I Got Smart. And I Got Tired.” In the late seventies, I’d say ‘76 or ‘77, I had been single since 1967 up until thFounding A Charm School In The 2010’s: “Social Graces Carry You A Long Way.” Since I’ve gotten older, my life has changed a lot. At the age of 67, I was still in the commu“Life Is Beautiful. And For Me, It Has Been Quite A Whirlwind.” Today, my life has really changed for me. Although I’m 72 years old, it’s never too late. I feel good about...