What Is "I'm from Driftwood"? Visit I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD at www.imfromdriftwood.com

Yes, that's exactly what I was asking last night when I schlepped my ass down to the Wall Street area, in the pouring rain, to a street that I didn't know even existed (11 Stone Street) to go to an art gallery that I had never heard of (Casa de Costa), to a dinner party/charity fundraiser for an organization that I knew nothing about ( I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD ). WHY? because that's what I do and who I am as "The Image Guru", also because I was asked to "represent" the dot429 website as one of their New York Brand Ambassadors. "What have I gotten myself into?" I thought to myself.

Well, I couldn't find the bloody street and I had to ask several people for directions who happened to be waiting for their buses in the messiness of last night's weather. But when I got to the Casa de Costa Art Gallery, I was immediately greeted by some familiar faces (Dara Avenius, the ebulient PR lady for the event and Steph Watts, my dot429 counterpart and TV producer/reporter/personality) but also by many not so familiar faces who I had never met before, although it was a very well appointed and stylish gathering, all cute by the way (how terribly shallow of me).

Why am I here? I spryly asked and what is I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD? "I'm so sorry, but I haven't a clue about this organization and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do my homework on this event", I embarrassingly admitted!

But I did graciously compliment the organizers on the art gallery/living space, which was kinda' cool and I absolutely loved the Andrew Wyeth-esque country styled picnic tables all situated in a long "family style" manner. "This is a great space and thank you for inviting me" I said to our host, Nathan Manske, who turned out to be the Founder and Executive Director of I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, of course I gravitated to the top man, who looked more like a boy, but a very handsome man-boy.

Well fast forward, some Benny Goodman "big band era" tunes, and a few glasses of wine later, we were ushered to our seats for dinner, which was delish! About 25 of us, all respected and credible professionals in the LGBT communities, ( yes, we were asked to introduce ourselves around the tables to the group and identify what we did), listened intently as Nathan gave his "why we are here" speech and explained what I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD was all about, which incidentally I found out was where Nathan was born.

Now you have to understand the reason I initially attended this benefit dinner party was because Richard Klein, the Founder of the uberly chic and very influential LGBTA (which means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and their Allies) website dot429, asked me to represent his website alongside Steph Watts. This was a very exclusive and intimate, $250 a plate fundraiser for a cause which I knew NOTHING about, but nonetheless I acquiesced, because that's what dot429 Brand Ambassadors and image gurus do, we represent! We incite discussion, we lend support and hopefully network for the good of all parties concerned. We were there as representatives of dot429 to see how we could be involved or spread the word about I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, hence this posting!

The short story is, I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD is a relatviely new initiative/documentary series which, and I quote, "collects and shares true LGBT stories from all over the world to send a simple yet powerful message to queer youth: you are not alone."

WOW, that truly is a POWERFUL MESSAGE and one that needs to be shared in this age of bullying and anti-gay sentiment. Although the issues of the gay communities seem to be coming to the forefront moreso now than ever before ( citing Hillary Clinton's historical speech about equal rights for the LGBT communities to the United Nations General Assembly in Geneva this past week ), there are still those individuals who feel "isolated" in their rural areas, small towns and sometimes even in large cities across the globe! Enter I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD which gives a forum and a network of comradery to those isolated souls who just want to live their lives in happiness, just a normal life like most straight people enjoy!

Hooray!!!! Now I get why I went out in last night's miserably horrible weather, all the way downtown to a street I'd never heard of, for an organization I knew nothing about....to help people....and I'm damn glad I ventured out.

But I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD could be I'M FROM EVERYWHERE! In fact, the personal accounts, from the people interviewed in this documentary, are from gay folks all over the world, saying "you are not alone". I'M FROM COLORADO SPRINGS, I'M FROM KANSAS CITY, I'M FROM GUAYAQUIL, QUAYAS, ECUADOR, I'M FROM SULPHUR, IA and on and on and on. Actual unscripted accounts and life stories from real gay people all over the globe telling stories about their childhoods, coming of age and coming out stories, their first crushes, issues with their families, their early years, their loves, relationships and encounters and many other issues which matter to them as gay human beings, proving they are definitely not alone! "We are everywhere, we are everyone's sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, hairdressers, entertainers, athletes, plumbers, yoga instructors, teachers, priests, truckers, CEOs, bikers and bankers, from all walks of life! DO YOU GET IT NOW? We are not aliens, we are YOU and you are US! We love, we laugh, we breathe, we bleed, we conquer, we live, we die... just like you... because we are you and you are us!"

A POWERFUL message which needs to be supported! So if you feel you'd like to make a generous donation to I'M FROM DRIFTWOOD, then please feel free!

Just log onto their website at: www.imfromdriftwood.com

That's all for now folks and remember, do something good for humanity and humanity will do something good for you!

Montgomery Frazier "The Image Guru"