Terri Hartshorn Q&A

1. When did you know you were queer?

I knew when was 14 because I fancied a girl at school. I bought 6 tickets for a GreenDay concert and invited her & all her friends to act “casual” but after that we started dating.

2. What is your coming out story?

I didn’t really have to announce that I was gay. My mum is also gay and has been with her (now) wife for over 25 years! I was actually super embarrassed as a kid when people found out my mum was gay, and I really tried not to be haha. But when I realised I fancied the girl at school, we started spending all our time together and my family and friends just figured it out. My family were super supportive but my ‘friends’ in school rejected me from the group and I had to make new friends.

3. Where are you from originally and how do you find it living in London?

I’m from Manchester originally! I love my home city and still go back as often as I can, but london definitely has my heart now. I think there’s so much to do here, so many opportunities and lots of my friends and family are here now too. I’ve been here 4 years and I don’t see myself leaving soon!

4. How do you find dating in London?

Hmm, it’s hard, but I think it’s hard anywhere. It’s kind of why we created G.IRL events - so that there was somewhere to meet likeminded people. I’ve had my fair share of dates but I’m looking for something a bit more serious now.

5. Please describe your perfect date and/or a perfect Sunday?

Perfect first date: drinks at shoreditch house!

Perfect Sunday: brunch, a walk around Columbia road flower market, a Sunday roast and home early to get organised for the week

6. You are involved in many ventures but what made you guys start up the G.IRL events?

As I mentioned earlier, it was to connect. There’s not much on offer for queer women / enby’s and we wanted to do something fun that brought people together!

7. Is there any advice you would give to your younger self?

Don’t abandon yourself for other people.

8. Is there any advice you would give to budding entrepreneurs?

I always say, you’ve just got to start. There’s no point having an idea and never doing anything about it! Even if something is a big goal, break it down into smaller steps and you’ll get there eventually.

9. Do you have any projects in the pipeline that we should keep an eye out for?

G.IRL is going to be huge in 2023. We’ve got UK wide events, and some top secret projects in the works.

10. Where did Adorn lab come from?

Adorn Lab was a passion project started in lockdown! I was in Sussex looking after my Grandma and when she would go to bed at 6pm I would have the whole evening to myself. So I sourced some jewellery and started selling it online!

11. If the internet/social media ever didn’t exist, what job would you see yourself doing instead of online stuff?

I have a degree in English & creative writing, so I think I’d be writing books. I still want to write a book one day! Though I doubt it would be creative fiction, I think I’d like to release a self help book.

12. Tell us which one of your tattoos is your favourite and if it has a story behind it can you share it?

My fave is probably the SE and the M I have on my fingers (for South East london and Manchester). They represent a lot to me, not just physical places.

13. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I’d love to live in Spain! I speak a decent level of Spanish and love the sun (UK winter is not for me), the food and the culture. Maybe Barcelona or Javea.

14. What is your favourite clothing brand and why?

I love Cole Buxton - I think the quality and cut of the clothing is premium!

15. Where did the name subsocial come from and what does it mean?

Subsocial means “to exist on the outside of mainstream society”. I think that’s how I’ve always felt. Just a little bit of an outsider. But, I like it in my world.