Queer Love Stories
GIRLI & Q’s Lockdown Love Story Involves A Skatepark & Playing It Cool
“I thought she was pretty cold. I didn’t think I’d ever get a text back!”
Welcome to Queer Love Stories, a series dedicated to celebrating the power and joy of LGBTQ+ relationships during Pride month. This week we meet 24-year-old GIRLI, a musician, and 22-year-old Q, a barber. Based in London, the couple first met at a skatepark during the 2020 lockdown. Naturally we wanted to know more. So we put them to the test Cilla Black style and asked them to answer our questions – about what their first date was really like, the attributes they love most about their partner, and just how well they know each other. The catch? They had to do so separately and couldn’t share their answers with each other. Get ready to be in your feels.
So how did you two lovebirds actually meet?
GIRLI: At a skatepark.
Q: It was during lockdown. Female skaters aren’t always around so we started talking straight away.
What was your first date like?
GIRLI: We started seeing each other before we really had a traditional “first date”. We hung out a couple times with other friends and that’s how we got to know each other. We went to the beach, went skating, and made dinners. It was super cute how both of us were trying to play it cool.
Q: I don’t think we ever really had a first date! After hanging out in a group for a while, I think went to an art gallery and tried to out-critique each other.
I thought she was pretty cold. I didn’t think I’d ever get a text back!
What were your first impressions?
GIRLI: She was super cute.
Q: I honestly thought she was pretty cold [laughs]. I didn’t think I’d ever get a text back!
What date did you make your relationship official, and what’s your partner’s favourite colour and film?
GIRLI: November 24, 2020. Q loves neutrals, she rocks neutrals: beige, cream, and brown tones. And her favourite film is Forrest Gump.
Q: November or December 2020? She always says it isn’t, but her favourite colour is definitely pink. And I will 100% get this wrong, but it’ll be a cult classic, like The Breakfast Club.
Did you get them right?
GIRLI: Q got my favourite colour right, but my favourite film is Call Me By Your Name.
Q: Yeah, GIRLI got mine right!
How long have you been together?
GIRLI: 18 months.
Q: 18 months or so.
Describe your partner in three words
GIRLI: Friendly, charismatic, and funny.
Q: Gentle, outspoken, and passionate.
If you could choose a song that reminds you of your partner, what would it be?
GIRLI: “Golden” by Harry Styles.
Q: “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson.
Q accepts my flaws, reassures me when I’m insecure, and tells me I’m awesome on a daily basis.
What’s your favourite memory with your partner?
GIRLI: When we first said I love you!
Q: Our first holiday.
What were the green flags when you first met your partner?
GIRLI: She was very all cards on the table, zero bullsh*t, open, and wasn’t scared to say she adored me.
Q: She was actually GAY! Sucker for letting the first timers in and being a bit of an experiment. She was also always busy, it was clear from the off she was independent and worked really hard.
GIRLI is very patient in making sure she understands me and takes time to work through things that will allow us to blossom.
What’s your partner’s best attribute?
GIRLI: She can make conversation with anyone and cares about helping others.
Q: She always wants the best out of life, and always pushes people to do better.
What would you say your partner brings out in you?
GIRLI: She makes me go with the flow more.
Q: She is passionate, structured, and cares about everyone and everything; I am very sporadic and blasé. We definitely cancel each other out in the best ways.
How does your partner make you feel accepted?
GIRLI: She accepts my flaws, reassures me when I’m insecure, and tells me I’m awesome on a daily basis.
Q: She is very patient in making sure she understands me and takes time to work through things that will allow us to blossom.
Do you have a joy-filled love story that you’d like to share with Bustle UK? Email jessica.morgan@bustle.com with Queer Love Stories in the subject line to be featured.
