We’ve been catching up with friends, relatives and some Tom Dick and Sally members who’ve kindly given their time and we’ve got some fabulous interviews to share with you.

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Today we've got both sides of the story, with each member of a couple answering the same questions. We've changed their names for their privacy.

Sam

How did you meet? We first met in Manchester when we were still with our previous partners. Nothing happened immediately but Debs became my rock when my partner left me. Over a few months we grew very close and, because she is so gorgeous, I developed quite a crush, never imagining anything would ever come of it!

Where would you recommend someone takes a first date? Definitely a nice restaurant – gives you chance to have a chat over some good food and find out if you really like each other.

What was the chat-up line? We didn’t really use chat up lines but if we had mine would’ve probably been embarrassingly corny!

How long before you slept with each other? I didn’t see the point of hanging about! We’d known each other for so long and been flirting increasingly for months, so the same night we shared our first kiss we jumped in the sack together too! Life’s too short and when you know what you want why should you wait?

What is the secret of your relationship lasting 5 years? Love, patience, understanding and tenacity!

How will you celebrate your anniversary? Our anniversary is on New Year's Eve so we are always out, normally with friends but this year it will be with my family.

When and how did you come out? It sounds dreadful but I can’t remember exactly. I was in the RAF and think I was either 20 or 21 but I’m not sure. I’d been confused about my feelings for quite a long time but, as the very wise Katie Perry said, ‘I kissed a girl and I liked it’ and haven’t really looked back since. When I was in the RAF it was before it was acceptable to be open about your sexuality if you didn’t fit into one of society’s comfortable pigeon holes. You could still be thrown out of the Services or Court Martialled just for being gay. A few of my like minded Service friends were being investigated and I was occasionally followed by the Military Police so you had to keep a low profile, but I remember one of my havens was the ‘Black Cap’ in Camden as they didn’t allow cameras on the premises back then, so you felt pretty safe.

Do your parents know? How have they reacted? I told Mum and Dad shortly after I came out when I was still in the RAF. They didn’t take it very well at all, blaming themselves for the way I had turned out. They were completely devastated. My parents were born in the early 1930’s and my being gay was totally incomprehensible to them. When I split up with my first girlfriend they shoved me firmly back in the closet, locked the door, barricaded it and bricked it up. I’m not ‘the way I am’ to offend anyone or rub anyone’s nose in it and I don’t see the point of hurting Mum and Dad just so that they ‘know who I am’ so I’ve just left well alone. In their hearts they know. I don’t hide anything, I just don’t tell them.

If you were to offer one piece of advice to a girl just about to come out, what would that be? Be true to yourself.

How open are you at work? Completely out.

Would you approach it differently if you had your time again? I don’t think so.

What annoys you most about your partner? She nags me about not looking after my car!

What do you love most about your partner? Her laugh, the mischievous sparkle in her eyes, her innocence, her fearlessness, her soft nature, the way she sticks up for me ... I could go on but it would get really mushy!

In your opinion, how important is sex within a relationship, compared to other factors such as personality, shared interests? I think it’s an important way of physically showing your feelings for someone, but it’s not life or death. A relationship is about much more than ‘sex’.

Having taken the Trueself Test, how do you both compare? Complimentary

What’s been the most romantic thing your partner has done? Star gazing. It rescued me once 5 years ago ... I don’t think she will every truly know how much she helped nor what that night meant to me.

How do you choose to describe your sexuality? Gay? Lesbian? Dyke? Gay – lesbian and dyke sound such harsh words.

Who is your role model? I don’t know that I have just one role model. My Mum and Dad are inspirational people and have overcome so much adversity in their lives and I admire them both greatly. My boss is an amazing person too, I don’t know how she manages to do all that she does as efficiently as she does it. Clichéd as it may sound Martina Navratilova was definitely my number 1 role model when I was in my teens (before I came out!) as she was ferociously determined to succeed and I admired that enormously.

What do you love/hate about the Gay scene? I love the music, the bars, the clubs. I hate the dramas!

Debs

How did you meet? In Manchester when she was with her ex.

Where would you recommend someone takes a first date? A nice Italian meal.

What was the chat-up line? I didn’t have one.

How long before you slept with each other? That night.

What is the secret of your relationship lasting 5 years? Understand each other and be loyal. Talk to each other.

How will you celebrate your anniversary? In Leeds with Sam’s family.

When and how did you come out? When I was 26, I moved to Manchester and crashed onto the scene.

Do your parents know? How have they reacted? They don’t know.

If you were to offer one piece of advice to a girl just about to come out, what would that be? Just be yourself and be honest to yourself, partner and friends.

How open are you at work? I am not but was in my last place. I just don’t think people in this place would be so accommodating.

Would you approach it differently if you had your time again? No.

What annoys you most about your partner? She leaves her sports car for months at a time not driving it and spends lots of money on tax, insurance etc. What a waste. But that is all.

What do you love most about your partner? Her loyalty and her soft nature.

In your opinion, how important is sex within a relationship, compared to other factors such as personality, shared interests? It isn’t that important but hell it’s good. I think it’s important to share similar interests but it is also good to have your own hobbies and interests.

Having taken the Trueself Test, how do you both compare? Very similar.

What’s been the most romantic thing your partner has done? Took me to Thailand.

How do you choose to describe your sexuality? Gay? Lesbian? Dyke? Gay.

Who is your role model? Sam. She is inspiring, encouraging and I feel safe when she is around, I love her so much.

What do you love/hate about the Gay scene? There are so many chavs and nutters out there.