I grew up in Glasgow and throughout my teenage years I never realized I was gay. This was because I thought everyone had the same feelings as me. I thought all girls got “crushes” on other girls and got infatuated with them. When I met my first lesbian in my late teens I was so intrigued. I realized then that I might be gay but never did anything about it until I moved to London in my early twenties, when I confessed all to a gay friend and ended up dating her for about a year!! I guess I really wasn’t sure until I was actually with a girl – and I LOVED it. Why hadn’t anyone told me about this before??

That was 12 years ago and lots has happened since. I came out to my parents (“Is that why you dress that way and hardly ever wear make up?” – “No, given that you’re about 40 years older than me I was never really going to agree with you on fashion and being the lazy git I am I couldn’t be bothered with make up” – N.B. I make more of an effort now – mostly to detract from the wrinkles), bought a house with my g/friend – of course when I say “house” I mean a teeny wee flat – this is London after all!), got a cat (I can’t believe it – now I’m a true Lesbian – my first ever pet and quite possibly the fluffiest, cutest bundle of fur on the planet! Oh God, what if I turn into one of those cat ladies who grow old surrounded by 50 cats and smelling of pee – sometimes my own!) and now I’ve gone and got myself married!

After only a brief fling (9 years) Ilaria and I got hitched this summer. We couldn’t be more different but it seems to work. (she cooks, I wash up – she is Italian after all!). She proposed in the Australian Rain Forest when we were surrounded by spiders, salt water crocs and strange angry Emu like birds – so not much chance I was going to say no given the escape options! The wedding was fantastic and was officially the only scorching sunny day in 2007! Both sets of parents were there and although it probably wasn’t very easy for them, they all seemed to relax and enjoy it – copious amounts of alcohol tends to do that!!!

I love living in London. It has given me the opportunity to truly find myself. There’s no shortage of things to do here and always something going on. If I’d never come here I dunno what my life would be like today. I think it’s much richer (obviously not talking about cash flow!) for being here. Am planning on probably staying for a few more years then, who knows…the world’s our oyster!