“My daughter has said it is OK to share the truth of her battle with depression. Because it might help someone.”
California and New York | 1980s to present | By JANE DOVER

“I’m home when the phone call comes, 7 p.m. that Saturday, when I slump into my bedroom.”
California | Summer of 1996 | By LEE HALE

“My grandpa had it down pat. Neither angry nor dominating, his expression merely stated: My silence means that I am right.”
North Hollywood, California | 1984 | By BRANDON D. CHRISTOPHER

“The first place I woke up next to a woman was in a hotel bed.”
San Jose and Santa Cruz, California | Early 1990s | By KATE EVANS

“It was strange, and much simpler than I expected, and larger than I expected, and painful and difficult, and not very seamless.”
Los Angeles, California | Summer of 2006 | By RACHEL JENDRZEJEWSKI

“The water stain on the ceiling began to become interesting. Wow. Maybe something was happening.”
Berkeley, California | 1960s | By GRANT FLINT

“Maria was a large woman with a round body. She scared me. But not because she was fat.”
Venice, California | 1967 to 1968 | By LISA MARGUERITE MORA

“Two men in suits stood on my porch, displaying their FBI badges. I was grateful that I had my clothes on.”
Oklahoma and California | 1966 to 1969 | By MARILYN KENTZ

“All night I have hardly slept. And now Larry is right outside my window.”
Ben Lomond, California | Summer of 1962 | By CLAUDIA STERNBACH