Kind + I'm From Driftwood
Storyteller's Series

Kind Clinic + I'm from Driftwood are collaborating to Capture the Stories of LGBTQIA+ Texans.

In a time when the world is trying to diminish our light, it’s necessary to uplift stories of queer and trans people who are building community, accessing care, and working to live full, complex lives filled with joy.

As such, we’re partnering with I’m From Driftwood to amplify queer stories by Texans, for Texans. Together, we have produced several new stories filmed across Texas, highlighting lived experiences connected to sexual health, bodily autonomy, and community care. We’ll be publishing stories from the partnership throughout the year.

See below for our current stories.

Chris Walker

When Chris Walker was living in Memphis, he was roofied during a night out in college and later learned he tested positive for HIV. After struggling in silence and falling into depression, he moved to Dallas to start over—only to find himself working in HIV research, listening to others’ stories, and realizing his diagnosis didn’t have to define or limit him. This turning point led him into public health advocacy, graduate school, and ultimately a life of purpose, leadership, and pride in every part of his identity.

Crush Your Poet

Crush grew up in a deeply religious household where queerness was never visible, but in college she began exploring her identity and relationships with women. After a painful heartbreak, she committed to taking herself on solo dates, which led her to discover the Dallas Poetry Slam. What started as attending weekly events soon turned into performing, joining the city’s slam team, and traveling to compete nationally. Eventually, Crush was invited to host a queer open mic and created Fluid Fridays. Launched during the COVID lockdown as a parking-lot event, Fluid Fridays grew into a powerful community space where queer people can share their voices, feel supported, and experience the kind of belonging Crush never had growing up.

Alexis

Alexis grew up in a conservative family on the Texas-Mexico border, and was briefly sent to conversion therapy as a teen after coming out to her mom. After moving away and searching for belonging, she was diagnosed with HIV during a difficult period in her life, which forced painful but ultimately transformative conversations with her family. Over time, she began to find acceptance at home and, more importantly, discovered a supportive community in San Antonio’s ballroom scene, where she gained the confidence to transition. Despite experiencing profound struggles, including mental health crises, Alexis ultimately found stability, identity, and a sense of belonging through community, family growth, and living authentically as herself.

Dr. Marlon Johnson

Dr. Marlon Johnson was on his way to a church service when his mother called him in distress over a suggestive photo of him with another man posted on Facebook. Though he initially explained it away, a hymn he heard at the service about unconditional acceptance shook Marlon to his core. Stepping out from the service, he called his parents back and finally shared his truth. Though initially fearful about coming out, what followed was a great relief, accompanied by reassurances of his parents’ unwavering love for him.