Agony Aunts

By Shannon Jones & Faye Vlietstra

Shannon and Faye are Waterfront’s very own agony aunts and matchmakers.


Dear Shannon and Faye,

I’ve known for a while that I am gay, and I have already come out to my friends and family at home however, I’m a little unsure about coming out to my friends at uni. We’re all really close, but most of the guys are” lads” and I’m worried that they’ll treat me differently. Any suggestions on how to go about it?

Tom, second year

Hi Tom, first of all no matter what, you’ve already got the support from your friends and family at home, and we can only imagine how hard it must have been to have come out. We understand how important friendships are, but nobody should make you feel like you have to hide who you really are, if they can’t accept you for that, then maybe they aren’t as great of friends as you thought. Although we have no personal experience in this, the best advice we can give is to be strong, and brave, and embrace who you really are. The right people will stay by you and love you for that, any ignorance should not be tolerated or welcomed.

Dear Shannon and Faye,

I am pissed off! I understand that this may be petty, but my boyfriend of a year did nothing with me on Valentine’s Day. No card, no date, and no gift. My friend who has only been talking to some guy for a few months got a whole romantic day, and there I was with nothing. Do you think I should end things with him?

Emily, first year

Woah there Emily, you’ve gotta calm down a notch or two. We understand that Valentine’s Day can be a big deal for some people, but you have to remember that not everyone goes all out for it. It’s clear that your boyfriend loves you (or at least likes you enough) as he’s stuck with you for a year, but rather than blowing up, maybe talk to him and see why he didn’t give you the day you wanted. Yes, we feel it would be extremely petty to end things over a day, yes he could have gotten you a card, but at the same time, you’re in the relationship too right? You could have organised something, after all it takes two to tango.  It’s not always down to the guy, this isn’t the 16th century. Chill out, call your boyfriend, and have the day you wanted, any day can be Valentine’s Day if you care enough.

While very knowledgeable, Shannon and Faye are not qualified to give out expert advice so Waterfront suggests that you take their advice with a pinch of salt and use the Students’ Union’s support services for serious guidance.


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