I’m From Nazareth, Haifa North, Palestine.

I grew up in Nazareth, the city where Jesus was born, peace be upon him, in a Muslim family committed to doing all religious duties. I love the Islamic religion and Christianity very much, so it was very difficult to accept myself as gay, how Siqublni society is where I live. Especially that it is community east of the river.

Since my childhood I felt the difference. It was strange as I did not like football, while all the children of the same generation loved this sport. I knew I was not bold, strong, and I’m afraid of violence and fighting.

At the age of 14 years, I knew that being gay would create a dilemma. In terms of society being against me and against my thoughts, and religion does not approve either. I stayed in a struggle with myself until I was 17 when I joined the Palestinian Association called “Alqaws” and that made me young and more self-confident.



I’m From Silver Spring, MD.

Something smooth and cool turned on my table. I look at the cover, “Take 5” it says. Oh Dave Brubeck if only it were that easy.

I find five being a constant number in my life. Five months since I met and broke up with him. Fifth boyfriend (Well, some of them don’t really count). And five times the pain in the ass. So what’s the deal? Why am I writing a story about it? Well truth is, what happened in the past five months seems so surreal that I can only turn it into a story.

So our story, as many do nowadays, began with a text message. Hey. How’s it going? “Well that’s original”, I thought. So I said something equally as suave and sophisticated. “Nuthin much. U?” And so back and forth we text, me all the while attempting to drag information at of my new friend. “What’s your favorite movie?” “What kind of music do you like?” I’m lucky if I get one word answers. One night he asks if he can call me. I, of course, oblige. We talk. The conversation is sparse and forced. Yet still we persist at the notion that we have something in common. That we are compatible in any way.




I’m From Pikeville, KY.

Where to begin… I was raised in a very religious family (Old Regular Baptist), where my grandfather was a preacher. From an early age I was told that any deviation from what was considered the “norm” was not only wrong, but would condemn me to hell. So as I grew to [...]

I’m From Hollywood, FL.

Although I was born in New York City, my parents wanted to raise a family in a more wholesome environment with a warmer climate. This was back in the early ’60’s when Kennedy was president. I think a lot of families from the north were migrating to the “Sunbelt” in those [...]

This Week’s Stories.

I’m From Philadelphia, PA. I guess I must first preface this tale with a revelation. I am a gay man living with HIV. I have been this way since October 23, 2007. I don’t blame anyone but myself for my “situation”. I mean let’s be realistic, it takes [...]

I’m From Dayton, OH - Video Story.

If you’re interested in being in a Video Story, just let me know and we’ll set up a time and place to meet.
Watch all the IFD Video Stories here.
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I’m From Vanceburg, KY.

The only thing that amazes me more than the mind’s ability to hate is the heart’s ability to love.
I grew up in a very rural and isolated area of Kentucky. Racism was open and prevalent as was homophobia. As a young gay man I felt that the only way I could live [...]

I’m From Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico.

I knew that I liked men since I was very young, probably around 11 or 12 years old. But admitting that I was gay from such a young age in a country that still holds a lot of homophobia — even though things are beginning to change with gay marriage recognized [...]

I’m From Laingsburg, MI.

I cried when I saw the movie Prayers for Bobby. I felt so much like Bobby, and because I was almost at that breaking point, I tried to get my parents to watch it, but they wouldn’t have it. My dad had to get up and go for a drive when I [...]

I’m From Philadelphia, PA.

I guess I must first preface this tale with a revelation. I am a gay man living with HIV. I have been this way since October 23, 2007. I don’t blame anyone but myself for my “situation”. I mean let’s be realistic, it takes two to tango. I wasn’t raped or [...]