Greetings!
Can you believe it's already August? Wow, summer is flying by. We've done so much the past few months it's hard to keep up. Check out what's been going on with I'm From Driftwood and what's coming up. As always, if you have any thoughts on anything IFD-related, just let me know.Enjoy,
Nathan
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Olympic Fever
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 Watching all these athletes from all over the world got us thinking globally. We checked out our Analytics to see where I'm From Driftwood's traffic has come from over the years and it turns out we have readers in 196 countries. Holly, one of our Summer Interns (see below), did a cross-check and discovered that people in 89 % of the countries participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics have read stories on I'm From Driftwood, plus 16 other areas and dependent territories which are not represented in the games. That's a lot of different folks interested in LGBTQ stories! |
Stories From This Year's AIDS/LifeCycle
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 I'm From Driftwood was lucky enough to be asked back to collect stories from participants of the 11th annual AIDS/LifeCycle, a bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It's the world's largest fundraiser for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Just like last year, we collected some truly inspiring, emotional, and uplifting stories. Be sure to watch the videos and learn more about ALC.
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| Pics or It Didn't Happen |  This year's Summer Rooftop BBQ was our most successful event yet, and we've got picture proof. If you couldn't make it (shame!), you can still help IFD collect and share LGBTQ stories by making a tax-deductible donation. |
Ambassadors Assemble!
|  I'm going to tell you a little secret...listening to and collecting all these stories has been one of the most meaningful and fun experiences of my life. So much so that I feel guilty for not sharing that experience with you. That's why we've launched the IFD Ambassador Program, which allows teams of videographers/editors and story listeners to collect stories in your community, no matter where you are in the world, and then share them on ImFromDriftwood.com. See how our first Ambassdor Video Story turned out and learn more about how you can get involved. Welcome to the team! |
IFD's First Grant!
|  We're proud to announce that we've been awarded our very first grant! IFD has always tried to diversify the stories we share and focus on inclusion, and apparently, folks have noticed. The American Institute of Bisexuality awarded IFD the grant because, "IFD highlights real people telling their stories from all over the country in every walk of life and bisexual stories are included in the same way," says Denise Penn, AIB Director. IFD has a respectable number of bisexual stories on the site already and with the help of AIB, we look forward to collecting and sharing even more. |
| Meet the Summer Interns |  Summer interns Holly and Peter say "hi" and answer some profound questions. Which one wants to teleport and which one's spirit animal is an echidna? Find out answers to both burning questions, as well as "What the heck is an echidna?" by heading over to our Tumblr blog . |
Gather 'round, It's Story Time
|  - Mormon lesbian goes to Brigham Young University, kisses girls, isn't apologizing.
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That's What She/He/Ze Said
|  It's been a big summer for I'm From Driftwood, but I'm never too busy to listen. Here's what people have had to say about IFD and the stories shared this season. As always, if you have any feedback at all about IFD, lemme hear it.
*A beautiful, uplifting story, amid an ocean of depressing ones. Thank you for giving hope to tomorrow's generation.-- DerekWilliamsMusic in response to Dean's Video Story *Shellie and Randi's Video Story is about a couple who stays together after a spouse changes gender. Nicole Darlene Alldredge commented:
I understand those that say they would not stay with their transitioned mates. Often individuals may find that such a transition empirically changes their physical attraction and thus an emotional connection to their mate. This change would in effect alter the state of their relationship in such a way as to cause the binding fibers of the relationship to dissolve. Such an occurrence is a sad event yet understandable in consideration with each [individual's] definition of what aspects serve as the basis for their relationships foundation.
I also understand those that choose to stay committed to each other based on their relational foundations and emotional connections that place factor importance more on the spiritual connection rather than the physical presentation.
There is no right or wrong answer but only what is right or wrong for each specific individual.
*A touching letter I received in the mail from a teen who wishes to remain anonymous:
I come from a conservative religious home....
I can't participate at any LGBT events. Giving a donation to an LGBT cause makes me feel a bit more connected....
Thanks for connecting us all! |
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Till next time!
Nathan Manske
Founder, ImFromDriftwood.com |
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Our Vision
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We envision a world where every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer person feels understood and accepted, and every straight person is an ally.
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Our Mission
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I'm From Driftwood aims to help LGBTQ people learn more about their community, straight people learn more about their neighbors and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and story sharing.
By creating an apolitical forum for LGBTQ stories from every age, race, gender, background and culture, we will deepen our understanding of each other, preserve our history, and open hearts and minds. We're working to create the world's largest archive of personal LGBTQ stories.
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Our Values
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The most personal and meaningful stories are shared when the storyteller is in a trust-worthy, welcoming, judgment-free environment. At I'm From Driftwood, 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.
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We Couldn't Do It Without You
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As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, I'm From Driftwood could not continue to collect and share LGBTQ stories from all over the world without financial support from our readers and followers. Please consider making a one-time tax-deductible donation, or an automatic monthly donation as these generous supporters have:
Chad Meduna
Brandon Whitney
Aaron Akins
Janeen Costa
Keith Uhls
Maureen McGonegle
Cheryl Manske
Gay Lynn and Craig Costa
Rick Bushnell
Troy Chatterton Nicholas Manske Joe Jordan-Allen
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