The I'm From Driftwood Podcast

We close out our third season with a special comedy episode, recorded live at the historic Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. We're joined by queer comics Kristen Becker, Kendra Dawsey, and Gus Constantellis as they share hilarious stories covering everything from southern living to being a “thembo” to accidentally hitting the gay clubs with dear ol' Dad.

It's one thing to live an openly queer, happy life - but can you imagine doing so while balancing a high profile career in politics? Just ask Representative Ritchie Torres and Mayor Annise Parker. Ritchie was launching his first-ever campaign for office when an interview presented him the chance to reveal his whole self - an opportunity he took. Annise's entire college career, meanwhile, nearly got sidetracked by a girlfriend's vindictive and homophobic mother. Both fortunately found electoral success and were able to represent not only their constituents, but the LGBTQIA+ community as well. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to Ritchie and Annise's stories and discuss the impact of queer and trans representation in government, the shifting of public attitudes over time, and the importance of decisionmakers having to answer to their LGBTQIA+ colleagues. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to Ritchie and Annise's stories and discuss the impact of queer and trans representation in government, the shifting of public attitudes over time, and the importance of decisionmakers having to answer to their LGBTQIA+ colleagues.

Children know themselves better than we give them credit for. Matthew knew at a young age that he wasn't a girl and it just took a gentle assist from his mom to realize that he was a boy. When Marcella's trans daughter expressed an interest in wearing dresses, she didn't hesitate to demonstrate love and support. But when the local bully decided to pick on her daughter on the way to school, the other neighborhood kids came to the rescue - pushing back against the bully's comments and inspiring Marcella in the process. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to Matthew and Marcella's stories and discuss the importance of allowing youth to explore their identities, the necessity of queer and trans visibility, and how - more often than not - children know who they are better than we do.

Angela was kicked out of her family home as a teenager and from there, her life only became more unstable. From a brief period in a group home to an abusive relationship to survival sex work to suicidal ideations, her early life was marked with one struggle after another. Fortunately, she was eventually able to find stability in her life, finish school, graduate from college and make amends with her mother - all the while learning some important life lessons along the way. In this episode, Phil and Alex reflect on Angela's story and discuss her resiliency, as well as the homelessness pipeline for LGBTQIA+ youth - particularly among Black trans women - and the importance of supportive resources for that vulnerable population.

Do you get butterflies when you see your name on a simple work document? Jaye did, highlighting the importance and value of respecting people's preferred names. On the flip side, Danny was told his preferred name would not be used at his graduation ceremony, diminishing his otherwise enjoyable high school experience. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to Jaye and Danny's stories and discuss the importance of owning your name, how allies can demonstrate true support, and the need for corporations and other organizations to keep up as society evolves beyond the gender binary.

Which is a better place to live for queer and trans folks - the city or the country? Turns out it depends on who you ask. Rae thought that the rural Appalachian town they grew up in would be hostile to LGBTQIA+ folks and opted to live in Austin for a decade before realizing they missed the mountain air and wanted to increase queer visibility back home. Levi, meanwhile, realized that his hometown - which had an active KKK - wasn't the right place for a queer man and so instead relocated to a more urban city where he could find the supportive community he needed. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to Rae and Levi's stories and discuss how both urban and rural locations can be queer-friendly (or not), their shared belief that people should ultimately go where they can find the fullest version of themselves, and touch on a little bit of queer and trans rural culture.

Ever feel like people are placing you in a box? Ada and Dubbs definitely did. Ada nearly had a panic attack due to wearing a dress at a Christmas concert, compelling them to take a step back and reevaluate their gender altogether. Meanwhile, Dubbs's realization that they were genderqueer came out of a lipstick lesbian awareness party where they realized they enjoyed the company of the women but didn't personally identify with them. Their unique experiences drew them to the same conclusion - that identity is fluid and only you can define yourself. Dubbs joins Phil and Alex as a guest on this episode where the three engage is a conversation about why people feel the need to put others in boxes, why people should do what's empowering for them, and was cis people can do to demonstrate true allyship with nonbinary and genderqueer folk.

Description: What would you do if your cis spouse came out as trans? For Mitch, coming out to his girlfriend was a nerve-wracking experience but the concern was all for naught. Not only was she accepting and encouraging, she wound up being the person who administered his first testosterone injection. When Randi came out to Shellie, Shellie learned that while she would miss aspects of their previous life, there were many, many things to look forward to on this new adventure together. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to these two stories, and discuss how unconditional love, hard work, and patience are essential ingredients in any working relationship.

Are you out at work? It's easier for some people than others. Ingrid Galvez Thorp had moved from her home in NYC to a new job in Georgia and was surrounded by microaggressions from her new colleagues. After word got out that she might be a lesbian, her tough-as-nails boss confronted her about her sexuality. Ingrid stood tall and came out to her boss, only to find out her boss was a super ally, ensuring that if anyone had a problem with Ingrid, they'd have a problem with her as well. On this week's episode, Ingrid calls in to join the conversation with Alex and Phil.

What makes someone an ally? For Rosa, it's learning to love queer people even though it was her gay ex-husband who hurt her the most. For Jean-Claire, it was ensuring a beloved gay uncle was properly remembered for all of who he was, rather than a “straight-washed” version of him. In this episode, Phil and Alex dive into the true meaning of being an ally, how it's lost its meaning over time, and what meaningful allyship looks like in the real world.

Some people might think that the LGBTQIA+ rights movement began with the Stonewall Riots. To be sure, it was a major event - but the movement began long before that. Eric Marcus, host of Making Gay History, joins Alex and Phil as we listen to the stories of longtime actvists Leona and Richard, and do a deeper dive into the origins of the gay rights movement and the seminal events that defined it. We also learn more about the background behind Making Gay History and how sharing our community's stories can enrich future generations and even help combat bullying.

Description: Should teachers keep their sexuality hidden from their students? Matthew had wanted to keep his private life private, but one student's persistent questioning about his spouse's gender made this impossible. Fortunately, he lived in a state that had workplace protections for LGBTQIA+ people. Alexa did not, however, forcing them to walk the fine line of keeping their queerness hidden while also maintaining an open and accepting environment in their classroom. In this episode, Alex and Phil listen to their stories and discuss the enormous responsibilities educators face in and out of the classroom, as well as the importance - and challenges - of bringing one's authentic self to the classroom.

Do you know what Intersex is? If not, you're not alone. Even some people who are born Intersex go through a steep learning curve. Take Maria Tridas, who literally sat down with her parents, a pen and paper, and Google, to figure out what it meant that she's Intersex. Maria joins Phil and Alex to reflect on growing into her identity, the importance of bodily autonomy, the fight against unnecessary surgeries, and why we must remember to include the “I” in LGBTQIA+.

In this week's episode, you'll hear stories from Cecilia who, as a child, only saw one opportunity for trans women: sex work and drugs. But now? She proudly identifies as an elder at 44 years old and lives a “boring life” with a 9-5 and a 401(k) and wouldn't have it any other way. And Mila who had fame, a following, and performances with celebrities as a popular drag persona but gave it all up to start over from scratch, this time living authentically as an out and proud trans woman. To discuss these stories and topics with our hosts is author, advocate, activist, and actor Precious Brady-Davis, whose new memoir, “I Have Always Been Me,” is both a testimony about both her childhood trauma as a ward of the state and a celebration of life and authenticity.

HIV diagnoses affect different people differently. For Tarik, his partner's diagnosis found him ostracized from his family, and his own diagnosis years later threw him into a downward spiral of depression. For Shareef, his HIV diagnosis was what drew his estranged and formerly homophobic father back into his life. In the end, both were able to use their status as a source of strength, rather than a detriment. In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss these stories and are joined by HIV advocate and activist Dimitri Moïse for a discussion of the impacts of stigma and pozphobia, the need for more affirming representation, and the importance of education and support.

Kids get asked all sorts of random questions by their peers. For Julia, it was a question of how she could possibly have two moms, or how they gave birth to a child. For Cathy's daughter, Jackie, she was the one who had the questions: she understood having two moms but didn't quite understand how a man and a woman could produce a child. In this lighthearted, funny and moving episode, Alex and Phil listen to Julia's and Cathy's stories and discuss the burden of handling invasive questions and the innate emotional intelligence of children.

You never know when you are going to meet the love of your life. Will it be at a party? Through an app? For Simone, it was a chance encounter on the subway. For Sam, it involved drinks, cigarettes and matching tattoos. In each story, both storytellers were on the precipice of missing out but were saved by a mix of fate, risk-taking, and strong mutual attraction. In this episode, Alex and Phil listen to these stories and discuss the importance of “shooting your shot”, the fear of rejection, and their own experiences in the dating world.

Jay Blotcher is a longtime writer, journalist and activist, and was an early member of ACT UP. From his early days as a towel boy at a gay bathhouse to his later years as an activist in the height of the AIDS epidemic, Jay's life has been a profile in working to improve the lives of the LGBTQ community. In this episode, Jay joins Phil and Alex for a discussion of his life, activism and the impact of the AIDS crisis on the community.

At some point in our lives, we are touched by the loss of someone, be they a friend, relative, or partner. The grief that follows is so personal to each individual and can live with them a very long time, surfacing at the most unexpected of moments. For Michael and Ladi, who lost their long-term partners to terminal illness, that grief was debilitating. And yet, when they were at their lowest, fate intervened in the most serendipitous way to give them respite from their mourning. In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss these stories and explore the topics of loss, grief and the importance of living with the heartbreak rather than trying to move past it.

We often hear stories of people coming out to their friends, their parents, their co-workers - but less often do we hear stories about parents coming out to their young children. Fortunately for Brian and Chloe, they had a little help from unexpected sources. For Brian, it was the gay governor of New Jersey, while Chloe's was a mix of Superman, Wonder Woman, and...the Secret Life of Pets? In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to these stories and discuss the earnestness of young children, the impact of pop culture, and the increasingly queer-friendly trajectory of future generations.

What challenges do LGBTQ+ families face today? Phil and Alex are joined by Jim Obergefell, Director of Individual Giving at Family Equality and the lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges. They discuss the current state of queer families in the United States and the unique obstacles families encounter in the adoption process. We also hear stories from Andy, whose adoption process was nearly sidelined by a homophobic nurse, and Fred, who ran into several roadblocks on his way of adopting a child.

Is it possible to pray the gay away? Jack Bates, cohost of the queer spirituality podcast, Lavender Mafia, joins Phil and Alex in tackling this question. The answer is obviously no - but the damage this abuse does can have large consequences down the road. We also hear stories from Scott, a gay man who bested a so-called conversion "therapist" in a battle of wits, and John, a gay man who exposed a notorious conversion clinic on the national stage.

Struggles with mental health impact everyone, but for those in the LGBTQ+ community, they can be amplified. Just ask Joe and Tom, two storytellers whose own battles with mental health intersected with their queer identities. In this episode, hear their stories and listen as Phil and Alex have a robust conversation around anxiety and depression, the shame of treatment, and how we need to equip ourselves with the tools to get better.

The LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to bullying. We've all experienced it - whether we were being bullied or were the bullies ourselves. In this episode, educator, radio producer and host of the “Queer the Table” podcast Nico Wisler joins Alex and Phil for a lively conversation about bullying against and within the LGBTQ+ commnunity, and how that behavior sometimes continues into adulthood. We also hear stories from Olivia, a trans woman who was cyberbullied in high school, and Joseph, a now-out gay man was equally unkind to a queer classmate.

Are racial preferences in dating inherently racist? In this episode, Black Queer comedian Sampson McCormick joins Alex and Phil as they have a candid discussion of the role race plays in the LGBTQ+ dating scene. We also hear stories from Moses and JC, two gay men of color who in their own dating lives were confronted with microaggressions and outright rejection based on their skin color.

Thanks to the three “amazing women” who helped raise her, Gloria Allen knew from a young age that she didn't need to feel any shame for being who she was. As she walked through life as a trans woman and, in her later years, settled into LGBTQ+ senior housing, she decided to pay it forward by opening up a charm school for Chicago's queer community. Gloria - also known as “Mama Gloria” to many in Chicago - talks to Phil and Alex about her life's own struggles and what's next for her.

Disabilities Awareness Expert and “bear in a chair” Drew Gurza joins the I'm From Driftwood Podcast hosts for a robust discussion of what it's like to live at the intersection of the queer community and the community of people with disabilities. We also hear stories from Richard, a Deaf gay man, and George, a Blind gay man, who discuss how living with a disability impacted their lives as queer people.

RuPaul's Drag Race star Dida Ritz joins Alex and Phil to answer a common question: Can you be both an observant Christian and a member of the LGBTQ+ community? Based on Nick and Gina's stories heard in this episode - two people whose own faith has been challenged - the answer is a resounding YES.

Love, fear, and women's music. They seemed to be ever present in Dr. Thea Iberall's life as she was coming out as a lesbian in the 1960s. She speaks with Phil and Alex about how women's music was “the original gaydar” and what her hopes are for the next generation of LGBTQ+ people.

Few things in life are only one way or the other - and gender is no exception. Jacob learned in high school that gender was something fun and something you could play with. Erin realized in college that gender was a performance and that they could perform it however they want. For both, they learned that they define their gender, not the other way around. And Trekkies rejoice! In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss Erin's and Jacob's stories, their own respective relationships with gender, and how Phil relates their gender to a character in a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode.

A lot of people - especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community - struggle with body image issues. For Raven, it was her journey to being a masculine-presenting queer woman who also has a feminine shape to her body. For Richard, it was dealing with the pressure from his father to lose weight and be classically good looking. For both, the preoccupation with body image took a dangerous toll on their physical well-being. In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss Raven's and Richard's stories, their own experiences dealing with body image, and the factors in and out of the queer community that contribute to how we see ourselves.

Some people discover their sexuality later in life and some are aware of it from a very young age. Noah Michelson knew he was queer from some of his earliest memories. First he was sexually attracted to Mr. Rogers, then Jesus, and ultimately “was in love with the garbage man.” After doing a saucy dance for the sultry sanitation worker, Noah was asked if he was “a little queer or something.” Though he didn't know what it meant, he knew that it was magnificent and something he wanted to be. In this episode, Phil and Alex welcome Noah to the show where the three discuss owning one's sexuality, combating the sex-negative culture we live in, and the ways in which Noah is pushing the conversation farther along, both as a journalist for HuffPost and through his podcast, D is for Desire.

Season 2 Premieres December 24! Alex is excited to welcome everyone back and to share what she's looking forward to most this season.

Welcome back to Season 2! Here's a teaser featuring our talented co-host Phil aka Corinne welcoming you all back and sharing some of the topics we'll be covering in our second season.

When Stephen started going out to gay bars, he was immediately made to feel like a Black visitor in a predominantly white gay world. When Femi was socializing in queer spaces during and after college, she was struck by how it was segregated by race in the south and by gender in the north. In this episode, Phil and Alex listen to Stephen and Femi's story and discuss the race, racism and gender in the LGBTQ social scene, the need for safe spaces, and what it truly means to be an ally to the Black community.

Pearl Bennett transitioned later in life. While she was preparing to head back to NYC from Fire Island, she was going through her regular routine of taking off her women's clothing to present as a man. “But Pearl came out of me,” Pearl explains, “and said ‘I'm not taking them off.'” That's when her life changed forever, allowing her to live a fuller, more authentic life as a woman. In this episode, Phil and Alex talk to Pearl about her transition journey, her family, and what she's up to today.

When Robyn heard homophobic comments as a child, she had no idea how her grandmother would react when she eventually came out as trans as an adult. Similarly, Courtney wasn't sure if he would be accepted for being gay after his father made a disparaging offhand remark about two men kissing in a music video. Would they be accepted? Or would their fears be proven true? In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss Robyn and Courtney's coming out stories, share their own coming out stories, and the importance of allies speaking up when they hear homophobic or transphobic remarks.

Before his transition, Teo was repeatedly dismissed by healthcare professionals when he realized he'd contracted HIV from an ex-girlfriend. Doug, meanwhile, was kicked out of a hospital room by a doctor because he wasn't related by blood to his boyfriend, who was living with HIV at the time. Different people, different walks of live, but both shared a similar experience: culturally incompetent healthcare. In this episode, Phil and Alex explore the discrimination in healthcare and the evolving conversation around HIV/AIDS and prevention.

When Don Bell came of age as a gay man in college, the United States was engaged in a disastrous war in Vietnam. Were it discovered that he was gay, he would've surely been kicked out of school and drafted into the military, a dangerous outcome at a time when Black servicemembers were disproportionately serving - and dying - overseas. We had a chance to hear these and other stories when we filmed Don back in 2017. In this episode Phil and Alex catch up with Don about his parents, the history of Chicago's famous gay district, the parallels is our country's social justice movements, and what his own future holds.

Substance abuse and addiction do not discriminate. In fact, in the LGBTQ community, it sometimes feels like we are hit harder with dependency issues than any other community. In this episode, Alex and Phil discuss the stories of Ashley and Vernon, two people who turned to substances to help deal with their queer identities.

While being queer in the United States poses life-threatening risks and dangers for far too many, the U.S. represents a beacon of hope and safety for many living in other countries. In this episode, Alex and Phil discuss the stories of Ilo from Venezuela and Adrian from Jamaica, whose lives were in jeopardy in their home countries simply for being queer. Both Ilo and Adrian were granted asylum with the help of local resources and organizations.

As LGBTQ+ people, we've long sought equality, representation and inclusion in the broader community. But are we extending the same respect to each other? Listen to the stories of Evonna McDonald and Amelia Meigs, two women who repeatedly had biphobic encounters with people from the broader queer community they assumed would be natural allies. In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss these stories and the pervasiveness of biphobia within the queer community, as well as Alex's own personal experiences with biphobia.

Back in 2014, I'm From Driftwood sat down with Keith Levy, the creative genius behind drag queen extraordinaire, Sherry Vine, where he told us about his reluctant entrée into drag and the benefits he reaped once he dived into it full-throttle. In this episode, Phil and Alex look back at his story and catch up with Keith on where he is today, the current state of drag, and why it's important to enjoy what you do.

Did the inkling that you might be queer start with a crush you had at childhood? That was the case for Ann Helfrich and Alexander Zuccaro. Ann's crush was on Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island (and yes, she hated the Movie Star). If no one was around, Ann would kiss Mary Ann the moment she appeared onscreen during the opening credits. Alexander's crush was on Hercules from the Disney animated movie by the same name. He even had a Hercules pillow case that he would sleep with and - on occasion - make out with. In this episode, Phil and Alex discuss Ann and Alexander's stories, their own queer crushes, and the importance of queer representation in media.

Meet Phil aka Corinne and Alex Berg, hosts of the all-new I'm From Driftwood Podcast, where they will be discussing a variety of topics, ranging from bi-inclusion, childhood crushes, and gender identity, to love, race, and drag culture. In this episode, we hear from Founder and Executive Director Nathan Manske and Program Director, Damien Mittlefehldt, who give us a bit of history about the organization, their personal motivation, their hopes for the future, and the stories they find particularly meaningful. This episode features stories from Ben Conard and Ashley Jackson. These stories and others can be freely accessed on our website at ImFromDriftwood.org.

Meet Alex Berg as she introduces the all-new I'm From Driftwood Podcast!

Meet Phil aka Corinne as they introduce the all-new I'm From Driftwood Podcast!