I'm From Driftwood - Daily gay, true stories

I’m From Manhattan, KS.

by pj mintner

I’m a Kansan. I’m an education professional. I love watching How I Met Your Mother, and you can find me cheering on my alma mater on Saturdays every fall. I love barbecue and the Kansas City Royals. I’ve only cried in one movie: Toy Story 3. I’m an uncle (and love that title), brother, son, and grandson. I can be a listener, counselor, teacher, trainer, co-worker, best friend, and support group. I’m an unapologetic Democrat. I love my Republican friends (and there are many in Kansas). I’ve had wonderful success at work and in school, which I’m reminded of as I currently search for jobs everywhere from New York City to South Texas. I have been to 13 weddings in the last 12 months, celebrating my friends’ love.

I’m From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

by will o.

Shortly after graduating high school in 2002 I was mentally preparing myself to “come out” to my parents. My parents were the first people who I wanted to share this with because they were the most important people in my life.

Every night before I fell asleep I would say to myself, “Tomorrow is the day” but I would not be able to work up the nerve to tell them.

After many weeks of delaying this conversation with my parents I was emotionally drained and at a breaking point. After walking around for hours in the rain I came home and my parents knew something was wrong.

I’m From Riverside, CA.

by rick clemons

It all started as I kicked out of the womb. No, I didn’t have an epiphany as I ventured down the birth canal. And it wasn’t some stress of being birthed that caused me to be gay. In reality, it was the venturing into the world that launched me into the yet uncharted territory of [...]

I’m From Spring, TX.

by nikki olsen

I once read that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand and the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is when SHE brushes up against me and puts her arms around me. And there are no words for [...]

Richard Socarides Recalls Coming Out To His Dad, One of the Founders of Conversion Therapy

by richard socarides

While everyone’s coming out story is different, Richard Socarides’ might be one of the most unique. Richard, who served as President Clinton’s senior adviser on gay rights, explains his coming out experience in his twenties: [My father] was the founder, or one of the founders, of the school of psychiatry that believed homosexuality was a [...]

I’m From Rootstown, OH.

by nathan gibson

Bags are packed. Rejected by peers and family members. I take a deep breath as I go through the security line at the airport. At first the obvious questions begin to race through my mind. Did I forget anything in my pockets? I hope I don’t get put in that little side room for questioning. [...]

I’m From Nicosia, Cyprus.

by nancy ponte

I was only 16 when I realised that I was a lesbian, when a lot of the relationships that I had with guys failed, just because I felt that something was wrong with me. My lesbian love story started when I was in high school. I met a strange girl in 2010 and we became [...]

AIDS Activist and Radio DJ Explain How Their Relationship Works

by jim schneider and edward strickler

Edward Strickler would rather talk about his AIDS activism. Jim would rather talk about his favorite African guitarist, Diblo Dibala. They met in 1981 and have been together since. Ed explains how their differences help make their relationship work: We were able to sustain each other because I really enjoy the radio show and he [...]

I’m From The Bronx, NY.

by peter domani

“Hey you, you in the leather jacket, what are you a faggot?” I was on my way to work in the North Bronx, when I heard a teenager yelling this at me from across the street. He was with other teenagers, and they were laughing and egging him on. I was about 19 years old [...]

I’m From Bristol, England, UK.

by sam l

As I sat on my bed gazing at the television screen watching BBC Parliament for the first time, it occurred to me that I will always remember this day, February 5, 2013, for this was the day in the United Kingdom where the gay marriage bill was either to be declined or accepted by the [...]