My friends are something that are the most important thing in my life. People who you enjoy the company of, who make you feel good to be alive and who appreciate you for who you are and what you do are a very special thing in this world.

Serge - I've chatted to Serge on OUT and Gaydar for a good few months now. Always brings a smile to the face with his Spanish (and Catalan) lessons.

I was due to meet Serge over new year, but my trip was cancelled, so in March, when I had the chance, I sorted out a trip and went over and we met up. Our first encounter was a day earlier than planned and his main worry was the fact he'd not had a chance to prepare himself to meet me, but needless to say (from the photo) he's a handsome chap!

We clicked and ended up spending most of the weekend going round Barcelona. I managed to get a brief peek into his favourite places and we had a great time together. And Serge holds a very special place in my world having been the other person to be mugged on our way back from a night out on the town!

A truly decent guy, I want to certainly get to know him a lot more..."muy guapo, muy fantastico, muy romantico!"

Stu@ - a real life friend and Agency Revolutionary! Met him via his old lodger (who turned out to be completely mad) and hit it off (in the non-biblical way) straight off. It's 'been, bitch, bitch, bitch' ever since. Glad now he's settled with a fine young man and moved into the outskirts of Basingstoke (not Popley!) with him in their lovely 3 storey prefabricated house (I think it's called "Gossamer Towers").

Stu@ is one of those people who ultimately you know you are never going to loose touch with...I am glad of that and can see us both bitching when we are 40! (so not long for you there matey!)

Andy (Anadin) - Andy and I met up reasonably soon after I came out of a long relationship. We met only ever intending to have a drink, but something was there that was immensely refreshing and comfortable (some people describe it as 'clicking').

An immensely intelligent guy who can hold a conversation for hours (trust me, my phone bill is evidence!) We quickly dated, became boyfriends and then became friends again and although my intial thinking on "why" I met Andy and what role he would play in my life was mixed up and unclear, I think I'm beginning to understand the true reasons for that one.

Just dont try and keep up with him at Barcode...he'll have you staggering and doing the "drop shoulder double head shuffle".

Clare and Steve - I met Clare in my De Facto days. Those were slightly closeted and were tinged with marriage and other things which are very much in the past. Clare was the first work person who I ever came out to, but more to quash her concerns that I was actually having an affair with a client in Amersham...this of course was not the case, it just so happened that I was seeing a guy who lived in Amersham.

Both her and Steve were really cool about my coming out, never questioning it as a phase or a fad. Clare retired once Steve got his job working in Algeria, and they moved from their little cottage in Hampshire to a swanky pad closer to family in Manchester. More recently, I was chuffed to hear that they are now expecting a Winstanley Junior. I *know* that whatever happens, they are going to be the best parents ever...even if Steve wants his firstborn to be using a computer at a very early age :-)

Charles - Don't call him CHAZ OK! How do I know him? Well again, another OUT person and I think one of the first people I linked friends with...and we still are linked as friends! He's a big fella with an even bigger heart. Been to see him up in Manchester a few times and have a regular reunion during the GayFest celebrations. He's now happily settled with a nice blokey Peter (you can see him in the picture, taken at our post-registration party!). Charles is another person whom time has no effect on communicating...we always just pick up from where we left off!

Steve - Hehe now here lies a funny tale! There I was quite happily (or not so!) being ill at home with salmonella....I take a quick trip round the OUT site and I notice a photo taken in the style of our company intranet...so I take a look closer and think, I recognise that face...I sent him a cryptic message (cruel I know) intimating I knew where he worked and what account he worked on and it started from there. Steve always used to introduce me to friends as "This is Jon, I work under him", which in part is fine, unless it's his mum! It was a sad day when he left the Digitas team, but he's moved on and around the globe a bit (a short stint in Gran Canaria) and is now back in Old Blighty working for some adult sex toy company.

Steve was the Digitas representative at our registration and was by far the smartest person there (even compared to the registration couple!) He has (when not downing butterscotch shots) got a sensible brain on young shoulders.