Queer Love Stories
by Eden Heath
Growing up under the shadow of Section 28, I never thought love—or a full, authentic life—was possible for someone like me. Suppressing my true self until my late twenties, I found that love stories for people like us were rare—so I decided to create a space where they could thrive. Dubbed the “THE gay Carrie Bradshaw of the 2020s,” I share my own dating highs and heartbreaks alongside real, heartfelt stories from the LGBTQ+ community. From romance and friendship to chosen family and self-love, Queer Love Stories celebrates the connections that define and inspire us. Each episode offers moments of struggle but leaves you with hope, positivity, and the belief that love—queer, messy, and magical—is out there for everyone. Let’s celebrate love—queerly and unapologetically.
Episodes
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Sam Ashby: 43% of LGBTQ school pupils have been BULLIED in the last year
Before Smashby became a Big Brother UK name, this is the conversation that came first. Yorkshire country-pop singer-songwriter Sam Ashby (Smashby) sat down with me for a rare, unguarded conversation about love, vulnerability, and the emotional armour so many of us build without realising it. We...
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My Dating Wrapped 2025
Chaotic, unhinged, and completely unnecessary — this is my 2025 Dating Wrapped. In this solo episode of Queer Love Stories, I'm recapping my full year of queer dating: the situationships, the entanglements, the dates that should never have happened, and the moments that actually taught me…
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Honey G: "Before the X Factor I was in a very dark place..." Coming out and finding self acceptance in the public eye
Honey G on coming out as a lesbian on live TV, self-acceptance, and life after X Factor. In 2016, the UK went mad for Honey G, one of the most talked-about contestants in X Factor history. After growing up in Harrow enduring a lifetime of bullying, she finished the show in 5th place and, in July...
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Glinda is for everyone who never gets chosen first
What Wicked's Glinda taught me about never being chosen first — plus a solo dating update from Berlin. In this solo episode of Queer Love Stories, I'm catching up on my trip to Berlin (including an unexpected date with someone I met in Sitges), a big win at my latest drag competition, and the…
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West End Girl & waking up from an emotional nap
Lily Allen's West End Girl, turning heartbreak into art, and why I might be shutting my emotions off. In this solo episode of Queer Love Stories, recorded on my way to the airport (chaotic, I know), I'm talking about Lily Allen's new breakup album West End Girl, why gossip-fuelled heartbreak...
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Manchester is so small & what I want in a partner
Two dates with the same guy in one day, a rugby-induced injury, and what I actually want in a partner. In this solo episode of Queer Love Stories, I'm sharing what my first few weeks living in Manchester have actually looked like — from taking up rugby and embracing my masculine energy…
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Rosie Wilby: "72% of same-sex divorces are between women..." The Queen of break-ups talks marriage, monogamy and how to survive a break-up in the LGBTQ+ community
Rosie Wilby, "The Queen of Breakups," on lesbian divorce statistics, monogamy, and why breakups aren't failures. Statistically speaking, lesbians go through more breakups in a lifetime than anyone else. Female couples account for 75% of same-sex divorces in the UK and are 250% more likely to...
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Beauty standards for gay men & stepping into the spotlight
Get your love story started with Kindling Dating Coaching now 💗 Get your first and fifth Daily Doser for just £3.50 from Skin+Me to finally feel confident in your skin! Support the show
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Letting go and embracing new beginnings
Leaving Leeds after 13 years, and finally letting my guard down. In this solo episode of Queer Love Stories, I'm catching up after a few weeks away — including the biggest update of all: I've officially left Leeds after 13 years and moved to Manchester. I'm talking about what it actually feels…
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One year on after heartbreak...
One year on from my very public breakup — what's actually changed, and what's next for the podcast. It's officially been a year since my public breakup and the series that came with it. In this solo episode of Queer Love Stories, I'm reflecting honestly on what's actually changed since then: the...
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Eden & Eimear answer YOUR dating dilemmas!
Eden reunites with dating coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching for a special listener Q&A - dating apps, rejection, dealbreakers, and Eden's own dating dilemma. Eimear returns to Queer Love Stories to team up with Eden and answer real listener dilemmas together: how to meet people when you...
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DATING REHAB: Setting my future relationship goal, how to nurture an emotional connection + forgiving people for the past
Episode 6 (finale) of Dating Rehab: setting a real relationship goal, nurturing emotional connection, and learning to forgive. In the final episode of my six-week Dating Rehab series with coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching, I set myself an actual, tangible relationship goal for the first...
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DATING REHAB: Letting go of control and judgement in relationships, discovering NATO dating + talking to 100 strangers
Letting go of control and judgement in dating: Eden discovers "NATO dating" (Not Attached To Outcome) with dating coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching. In week three of the Dating Rehab series, Eden and dating coach Eimear unpack why chasing relationship milestones - the "official" label,...
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DATING REHAB: Letting go of past hurt, the science behind subliminals + what makes a good date
Week 4 of Dating Rehab: using affirmations and subliminal messaging to let go of old heartbreak, plus dating coach Eimear's secret to what makes a good date. Eden and dating coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching tackle why it's so hard to let go of an old relationship story, even once the…
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DATING REHAB: How to recover after being told you're TOO MUCH, noticing self-sabotage + finding security in relationships
Week 3 of Dating Rehab: unpacking self-sabotage, being told "you're too much," and why Eden is done waiting to be chosen. Eden and dating coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching dig into the "old story" Eden tells herself about relationships - including the pattern of pushing partners away…
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DATING REHAB: Tackling my limiting beliefs, the power of visualisation + sending the perfect rejection text
Week 2 of Dating Rehab: tackling limiting beliefs, the power of visualisation, and how to send the perfect rejection text. Eden and dating coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching unpack the limiting belief that's shaping Eden's love life: the quiet fear that relationships "aren't going to…
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DATING REHAB: Getting real about my relationship anxiety and commitment issues
Episode 1 of Dating Rehab: I got a dating coach to fix my relationship anxiety and commitment issues. I'm ditching the apps and checking myself into six weeks of dating rehab with coach Eimear from Kindling Dating Coaching. In this first session, we uncover why the early stages of a relationship...
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LIFE UPDATE: I’ve got a blank space…
A life update from Eden: what's next for Queer Love Stories, including a new guest season and a brand new mini-series, Dating Rehab. A couple of months on from the Heartbreak Chronicles, Eden checks in with a life update: her first season three guest episode is already recorded (out in the new...
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: Looking to the future after a breakup and my updated breakup playlist
The final episode of Heartbreak Chronicles: seven weeks on, Eden shares how far she's come and an updated breakup playlist to match. Wrapping up the Heartbreak Chronicles mini-series, Eden reflects on the anxiety of releasing something this vulnerable, what she's learned about her own attachment...
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: How to remain friends with an ex after a breakup
Should you stay friends with an ex? Eden shares the three questions to ask yourself before deciding, plus moving flats, astrology, and a sex-life dilemma three years into a relationship. Six weeks post-breakup, Eden moves out of the flat she's lived in for four and a half years and gets some...
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: How to reclaim your identity after a breakup
Reclaiming her identity after a breakup: Eden on Manchester Pride, an Apple Photos hack every heartbroken person needs, and taking back the songs, places and pet names she used to share. Eden shares an iPhone trick almost nobody knows about - how to stop your ex's face showing up in Photos...
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: Spotting the signs of codependency in a relationship
Spotting the signs of codependency: Eden breaks down independence, dependence and interdependence using the scale her therapist taught her, and why she loses herself every time she falls for someone. Fresh off a surprisingly good week, Eden shares the therapy exercise that finally explained her...
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: The real reason why my relationship ended...
Eden finally answers the question everyone's been asking: why did the relationship actually end? In this raw, unfiltered Heartbreak Chronicles episode, Eden digs into the real, self-reflective answer — not gossip about her ex, but an honest look at her own patterns in relationships. She unpacks…
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: My top 10 breakup songs to create the ultimate breakup playlist
Eden's ultimate breakup playlist: 10 songs to get you through a heartbreak, from bad bitch anthems to sad girl crythems. This Heartbreak Chronicles episode is all about music therapy. Eden shares the dream that helped her reframe her ex (spoiler: it involves a pair of falling-apart Zara pumps),...
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HEARTBREAK CHRONICLES: How to survive the stages of grief after a breakup
A day-by-day account of the first three days after a breakup — the crying, the anger, the numbness, and everything Eden did to get through it. In this Heartbreak Chronicles episode, Eden takes listeners through days one to three post-breakup in real time: the nonstop crying and phone calls home…
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LIFE UPDATE: It's been a cruel summer...
[RECORDED 29th JULY 2024] Just a little life update from me about season three, my current circumstances and an upcoming mini-series. GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY ⚡️ Follow Eden on Instagram 💕 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Eden funds this podcast to bring the highest quality content, the most...
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The Witch Blair: Challenging the stigma of an open relationship, dating in drag & Eden's live Tarot card reading
The Witch Blair very nearly stood Eden's guest up on a bad first date - if a phone call from a friend hadn't stopped them mid-text, they might never have met their husband of eight years. Blair opens up about growing up mixed-race, autistic and Muslim-and-Catholic in a tiny North Yorkshire…
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Kirsty & Natalie: Creating a thriving community, bisexuality & fragmentation within the LGBTQ+ community
Only 20% of bisexual people are out to their entire family, compared to 63% of gay and lesbian people. Kirsty and Natalie know that statistic intimately — both have been in long-term relationships with men for years, and both say their families still haven't clocked that they're bisexual. Kirsty...
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Kaue & Ryan: Creating LGBTQ+ allies through sport, buying Keighley Cougars Rugby Club and battling transphobia
Kaue Garcia came out at 16 in Brazil and was kicked out by his own mother the same day — Ryan O'Neill spent his childhood at an English boarding school where two of his teachers are now serving 28 years combined for paedophilia. Twelve years later, the couple own a professional rugby club…
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Lewis Oakley: "Only 20% of bisexual people are out to all their family..." How to handle ignorance, discrimination and erasure as a bisexual
Bisexuals make up roughly 52% of the LGBTQ+ community but receive around 1% of LGBT grant funding. Lewis Oakley has spent five years trying to fix that, and it all started with him ranting drunk at a stranger in a bar. Lewis didn't realise he was bisexual until he was 19, and his activism began...
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Rossi Lewis: "When you're totally independent, you're at your peak..." Ditching dating apps for six years, toxic relationships and redownloading Grindr
Rossi Lewis spent six years refusing to date on apps, went viral on TikTok for it, moved to Clapham to become "gay central"'s biggest cheerleader - and then quietly redownloaded Grindr. Rossi tells me about coming out at 20 after finding a stranger in an anonymous chat room, flying to Indiana on…
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Christina Maria Garcia: "The asylum system is broken..." Filing for asylum in the UK, being a trans ally + Racism in the Trans community
Christina Maria Garcia on fleeing an unsafe relationship, filing for asylum in the UK, and finding love and self-acceptance as a trans woman of colour. In this powerful conversation, Christina shares her journey from growing up closeted in Trinidad and Tobago to being accidentally outed, escaping...
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Kayleigh & Meg: How to start a family as an LGBTQ+ couple, handling early-pregnancy loss and breaking the traditions of marriage
Kayleigh and Meg met while Meg was in a throuple with her then-fiancé, fell for each other over Gilmore Girls and Grey's Anatomy, and ended up proposing to each other in Venice two days apart, both without telling the other. They talk through the unconventional start to their relationship, coming...
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Jonathan Mayor: "You have to constantly reassess who you are..." Sustaining a long-term relationship through all phases of life
Jonathan Mayor met his husband Leon through a small ad in The Guardian, fell in love over the phone before they'd even met in person, and 23 years later he's telling me it still feels exciting having him in the house. Jonathan is a Manchester comedy institution, Sarah Millican's go-to warm-up act...
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Andy Downs: Breaking through a breakdown, manifesting love & the adoption process
Manifestation coach Andy Downs on surviving a mental breakdown during the adoption process, and how self-love and authenticity changed his life. Andy opens up about meeting his husband in secret before either of them had come out, and the 17 years since. He also shares the story behind his and…
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Ella Morgan: "Only two men have ever accepted me..." Making history on MAFSUK, being a trans advocate and dating after television
GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY ⚡️ History was made in Autumn 2023 when former cosmetic consultant, Ella Morgan, became the first Transgender Bride to take part in the hit reality show Married at First Sight UK. Ella quickly became one of the show's most iconic contestants, and one of…
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Aaron Parr: Eden gets a LIVE Tarot reading, How to remain friends with an ex, and managing grief after a break-up
In our season finale, Aaron Parr takes us on a journey through his incredible story of finding love, grieving a break-up, and trying to remain friends. The episode kicks off with a candid conversation on navigating friendships after a breakup, the challenges, and the importance of maintaining…
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Andy Brennan: "I found comfort in being single..." Situationships, Self-confidence and Spice Girls
In this heartwarming episode of Queer Love Stories, Eden sits down with the delightful Andy Brennan, a man whose journey from single life to marriage is nothing short of extraordinary. Join us as we delve into Andy's experiences, from the challenges of a toxic on-off situationship that tested his...
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Charlie Hagston: "Stick up for yourself because you deserve it!" From self-hatred to self-acceptance, embracing a non-binary identity and finding your tribe
Charlie Hagston is a non-binary, autistic artist who discovered their passion for dance at the age of 9. Starting with jazz, tap, ballet, and freestyle, Charlie's heart found its true home in contemporary dance. They now lead workshops at Leeds Dance Studio, providing a safe and welcoming space…
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Bridie Daniels: "1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people experience loneliness everyday" Finding friendship in adulthood, 15-minute friendships and pansexual representation
Bridie Daniels is a digital marketer, keen baker, videogamer and activist living in Leeds. In July 2023 they launched 15-minute friendships which is a social project designed to combat loneliness within the queer community through pop-up events in and around Leeds and West Yorkshire. Throughout…
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Voices from Leeds PRIDE 2023: Soraya Vivian, Rachel Fuller, STARS, Marigold Addams and more
In this special episode of Queer Love Stories, our host Eden spoke with various voices across Leeds PRIDE 2023. Throughout the day they visited Walker Morris for the Out Together PRIDE pre-party, interviewed festival goers and spoke with performers such as Soraya Vivian, Rachel Fuller, STARS and...
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Ross Buxton: "We focus on beauty, we focus on body... we don't focus on who someone actually is" Marriage, divorce and dating apps in the LGBTQ+ community
Ross Buxton is a presenter, model and singer based in Cambridge. At the age of 23, he settled into married life expecting his happy ever after, but his husband didn't quite live up to his preconceived idea of the perfect partner. Now in his thirties, he has big opinions on the state of modern...
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Chew & Jon: Merging expectations as an interracial couple, body dysmorphia and finding love in real life
Chew and Jon are a beautiful fitness-orientated couple based in Leeds who have been together for the past six years. By day Chew is a Researcher in Infectious Disease, and Jon is a Primary School teacher. By night they share all things love, dating and fitness within the LGBTQ community on their...
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Matt Jameson: Representing the LGBTQ+ community on Married at First Sight UK
Matt Jameson has over a decades worth of experience within the charity sector. He is an intrepid supporter of Prostate Cancer UK and the Operations Manager and an Ambassador for Out Together LGBTQ - The charity that creates a diverse, vibrant and enduring community, working to unite LGBTQ+...
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Michael C Wearing: "I was desperate for love because I wanted someone to fix me" Finding safety and acceptance after coming out
TRIGGER WARNING: Homophobia, bullying, grief, addiction and loss. Michael C Wearing is an Empowerment Coach and Speaker who supports people from the LGBTQ+ Community through his work. He empowers others to love themselves, build confidence and attract the life of happiness and fulfilment that…
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Alexis Caught: "We are all raised to be homophobic..." Why LGBTQ+ folk are 52% more likely to experience negative mental health
Alexis Caught is an award-winning podcaster, writer, rugby player, and all-around powerhouse. In January 2022, Alexis released the uplifting book "Queer Up," designed to empower LGBTQ+ teens on their journey of self-discovery in the modern age. On top of all this, Caught is also an activist,...
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Alex Woolhouse: "Your greatest love story is YOU!" Dating tips for the modern woman
Alex Woolhouse is a writer, model, radio host and serial dater living in London. She's the host of the hilarious How Not to Get a Boyfriend podcast where she spills the tea on her dating escapades whilst on the hunt for love. During our conversation, Woolhouse delves into the intricacies of…
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Welcome To Queer Love Stories! (Start Here)
Welcome to the brand new Queer Love Stories! A podcast where we dive into the real stories of love, relationships, and empowerment within the LGBTQ+. Picture this: TV, film, and media consistently portraying queer romance in shades of either promiscuity, pain, or shame. Growing up gay in the...
About this show
Growing up under the shadow of Section 28, I never thought love—or a full, authentic life—was possible for someone like me. Suppressing my true self until my late twenties, I found that love stories for people like us were rare—so I decided to create a space where they could thrive.
Dubbed the “THE gay Carrie Bradshaw of the 2020s,” I share my own dating highs and heartbreaks alongside real, heartfelt stories from the LGBTQ+ community. From romance and friendship to chosen family and self-love, Queer Love Stories celebrates the connections that define and inspire us.
Each episode offers moments of struggle but leaves you with hope, positivity, and the belief that love—queer, messy, and magical—is out there for everyone.
Let’s celebrate love—queerly and unapologetically.
Hosted by
Eden Heath
Categories