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Jordan and Luca
How long have you been together?
Luca: Seven years. But for homosexuals years are the same as for dogs. Each year counts as seven so technically we’ve been together for 42 years
How did you meet?
Luca: We met at Joiners! I was on a date with a guy that night and just at the end of the night when they switched on the lights I saw Jordan queueing for the toilet. I thought, “How the actual fuck didn’t I see that hot Briton until now???” So with an excuse I went to the toilet and I queued behind him.
Once I was in the toilet I just said to him very quickly and in my (at the time) broken English: “Look, I’m here with someone else, here is my number, take it and call me, have to go, call me.”
I spent the rest of the night with the other guy and the plan was to go home with that guy and have some nasty business, but Jordan texted me, “I’M IN LIVERPOOL STREET STATION NOW, COME AND SAY GOODBYE!”
I faked a vomit attack with the other guy and ran to Liverpool Station to meet him! I was wearing a kilt that night so everything was pretty easy to manage! And yes, I know, I was a total twat with the other guy!
Jordan: Yeah, we met in The Joiners Arms. I’d love to say our eyes met over a crowded room or I dropped my books at his feet or some other shit like that but the truth is I met him in a toilet.
I’d been to lesbian sex party (don’t ask) and ended up in east London where I saw this hot Italian with an ‘I love cock’ t-shirt and a kilt. He was with another guy but it was my birthday so I made sure I got what I wanted.
What is the key to a healthy modern gay relationship?
Luca: Respect. The old fashion respect! You are free to do anything you want in your life as long as you respect me whatever that means, you decide! But I think our secret is that we talk to each other a lot. We speak about our pasts, fears, issues and dreams. We always tell each other why we are happy and why we are sad. If we have a problem with each other we always make a point to talk. I have friends who tell me about some problems they have in their relationship and their boyfriends don’t know anything about it. How is that possible?
Jordan: Luca and I work together and have done so for five years purely because we share the same vision and the same interests, which I guess in our case is a lot to do with luck and finding the right person. I think with relationships, especially early on you have to allow them to become a bit uncomfortable, that’s usually the make or break point and I don’t think enough people see it through. I think we (as gays?!!) are partly infantilized because our culture allows us a Peter Pan sense of hedonism that isn’t totally geared up for problems that challenge our “freedom.”
Are you guys comfortable being affectionate in public?
Luca: I hate it. Not because I’m gay! Not because “I’m scared to show to people” and shit like that nothing to do with all that and no internal homophobia! I just hate hate hate that sweet stuffstraight, gay or whatever you are!
Have you ever experienced homophobia in public?
Jordan: Yeah, I grew up in South London and by the time I left school “faggot” was a badge of honour.
Luca: No, I have to admit I’m very lucky. I always lived my sexuality very freely and naturally how it’s supposed to be. I never think “I’m here, I’m queer.” If you ask me I tell you but I never found myself in a position where I had to justify myself for being gay or where my sexuality somehow compromised what I want to be or do.
If you met on an app are you honest about how you met when asked or do you feel embarrassed?
Jordan: There’s a misconception that apps aren’t real life. Apps like Grindr are very real and yes, they’re changing our culture. All these bi-curious guys are popping up like mushrooms because finally there’s a place for them to go, and I think that’s great.
Regarding monogamy: how did you guys decide what works best for you?