I'm From Driftwood
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It’s National Coming Out Day!
Coming out can be extremely liberating and inspiring, but remember, it should be your decision. You owe it to absolutely no one to come out. To those who choose not to come out, or are unable to come out today, power to you! You’re just as courageous, and your identity is just as important and just as valid as the identities of those of us who are out. Coming out is something that should be done on your time, when you are ready.
To those who came out/are coming out today (or any day!), power to you!
Love & Power,
CJ (IFD Tumblr Mod)
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“I’m From Phoenix, AZ”: H.O.P.E. House
Established and run by owners Lily and Michael, H.O.P.E. (Healing, Opportunity, Promise, Empowerment) House is the first known Trans Safe House established in Phoenix, Arizona, and provides temporary, transitional housing to trans men and women in need of a safe place to live. You can apply for residency, and learn more about H.O.P.E. House here.
This story was collected during IFD’s 50-state Story Tour. Learn about it here!
Share your story with us!
- 1 year ago
- 1 notes
- #I'm From Driftwood
- #LGBTQ
- #LGBT
- #GLBTQ
- #GLBT
- #Phoenix
- #Arizona
- #AZ
- #H.O.P.E. House
- #HOPE House
- #H.O.P.E.
- #Lily and Michael
- #Lily
- #Michael
- #true lgbtq stories
- #true transgender stories
- #true ally stories
- #transsexual
- #transgender
- #MTF
- #FTM
- #trans
- #trans*
- #hope
- #safespace
- #safe space
- #safe house
- #trans safe house
- #love
- #people
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Where are YOU from?
Our mission at I’m From Driftwood is to help LGBTQ people learn more about their community, straight and cisgender people learn more about their neighbors, and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and story sharing.
The most personal and meaningful stories are shared when the storyteller is in a trust-worthy, welcoming, judgment-free environment. At IFD, we strive to create that environment on every level, whether you’re a long-time supporter at one of our events or a first-time visitor to the site. Be yourself, be comfortable and let’s get to know each other.
We are ALWAYS accepting stories, videos, pictures, and quotes. These can include:
- childhood stories
- coming of age & coming out
- first crush
- love, relationships & encounters
- family matters
- whatever else you feel like sharing!
- 1 year ago
- #I'm From Driftwood
- #LGBTQ
- #LGBT
- #GLBTQ
- #GLBT
- #gay
- #lesbian
- #bisexual
- #transgender
- #transsexual
- #queer
- #questioning
- #ally
- #gay ally
- #soffa
- #pflag
- #youth
- #community
- #gay community
- #trans*
- #trans
- #transgender community
- #ftm
- #mtf
- #genderqueer
- #pansexual
- #asexual
- #coming out
- #first love
- #first kiss
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It’s so important to acknowledge that domestic violence—including, but not limited to, physical and emotional abuse—is a reality for LGBTQ people as well.
“When a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) person is abusive to his or her partner, we often do not recognize it as domestic violence because of false expectations that men should be able to defend themselves and stereotypes that all women are safe, or that both partners are equally abusive.
The truth is that domestic abuse is a serious problem and can occur in any relationship. An individual’s size, strength, politics or personality does not determine whether he or she can be abused or be an abuser. As with heterosexual domestic abuse, domestic abuse in the gay community cuts across all class and race lines.
Finding safety and support may be difficult for the victim of LGBT partner violence or sexual assault. Abusers have the additional power of threatening to expose their partners if their partners are not “out” to their families or employers. A lesbian batterer may work as a battered women’s advocate and have easy access to shelters. Gay men may not be taken seriously by police or judges who assume their conflict is mutual combat rather than a pattern of abuse. Transgender victims often confront prejudice from police and others based on their appearance.Community organizations sensitive to these issues are good resources for safety planning, crisis intervention and prevention. The organizations below provide information about LGBT domestic abuse, prevention services and referrals to community resources that are attuned to LGBT concerns.”
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL THE POLICE AT 9-1-1
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Resources:
The Network/La Red
For lesbian, bisexual, & transgender women in relationships with women
Hotline/Linea de Crisis: (617)742-4911, TTY (617)227-4911Emerge
For gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender batterers:
(617)547-9879Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Community Health
For LGBT victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
(800)834-3242National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
Information on violence committed against and within the LGBT communities (212)714-1184National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800)799-7233
(via Employee Assistance)
Contribute to the list of hotlines, and safe spaces, if you can!(via avillagetoraiseachild)
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I'm From Deep River, ON, Canada by Robin K.
I sat down. She gazed at me, sitting peacefully.
I don’t know why I was scared. I knew that there was no reason to be. She wouldn’t care in the slightest, but still my stomach was in knots. But something in me was saying that I had to do this; that coming out to someone - anyone - would somehow relieve a little of the weight I was carrying.
So I took a deep breath and said, “There’s something I need to tell you.”
She was as impassive as ever.
“I…” I stuttered and stalled. This was completely irrational! Then again I’d always known that this wasn’t going to be about her - I just wanted to finally say it aloud. More than that, I wanted to say it to someone. It made it more real somehow, as if it was no longer some fiction in my overactive imagination, but cold hard fact. And that could scare anyone, couldn’t it? And if I didn’t make this first step, where would I end up anyway? If I couldn’t come out to her, then I couldn’t come out to anyone, and it would be hard enough already without any added stress over my own self-doubt.
“I’m… I’m transsexual…” I said. Despite the first stutter, it was amazing how easily it rolled off the tongue. As expected, she just stared back at me.
“… And gay.” I added. And why not? It felt good to let my secrets out. Actually, a lot better than I’d expected. I was surprised that I’d been so emotionally invested in the thing. The idea had been a sudden whim, and yet… It was stupid, but I felt better for it.
She lay down, folding her paws under her body.
It probably seems odd, but as I think about it, the thing had a bit of sense to it. The cat, who I was cat-sitting for my neighbour, is probably the closest thing to a friend as I have at the moment.
And anyway, an avalanche has to start somewhere right?
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