Naz and Matt Foundation explained

Naz and Matt Foundation
Formation:2014
Type:NGO
Status:Charity
Purpose:LGBT rights
Leader Title:Executive Director
Leader Name:Matt Mahmood-Ogston

Naz and Matt Foundation is a charity based in the United Kingdom that tackles homophobia triggered by religious and cultural beliefs.

The organisation was established in 2014 following the death of Dr Nazim Mahmood,[1] by his long term fiancé Matt Mahmood-Ogston[2] (formerly Matthew Ogston).[3]

The primary objective of the charity is to "tackle homophobia triggered by religion to help parents accept their children". The Foundation campaigns in the national media and give talks in schools and universities. They provide support to LGBTQI individuals and their family to help resolve challenges linked to sexuality, gender identity and religion.

Current work

Naz and Matt Foundation have a schools programme for secondary schools and are UK publishers of a children's book, Salim's Secret.[4]

The charity has delivered school talks in the UK, including Bradford, Birmingham, Leeds, London, Oldham and York focusing on the importance for parents and families to accept their relatives regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.[5]

Founder Matt Mahmood-Ogston has campaigned in the local,[6] national[7] [8] and international press to raise awareness of the dangers of homophobia triggered by religious or cultural belief. And more recently calling for the criminalisation of 'gay cure therapy',[9] also known as conversion therapy.

In April 2015, the Foundation led by Matt marched 150 miles[10] from London to Birmingham to raise awareness about what happened to Dr Nazim Mahmood, and the dangers of homophobia if not tackled within families and religious communities.

In 2017, English folk group The Young'uns released a new song called "Be the Man",[11] on their album "Strangers", documenting the love story of Naz and his fiancé Matt, whom the charity was named after.

In 2018 and 2019 the Foundation worked with actress Bhavna Limbachia and UK TV soap Coronation Street to support a high-profile storyline featuring the programme's first ever lesbian Muslim character, Rana Habeeb and her onscreen romantic relationship with Kate Connor (played by Faye Brookes).[12] [13] The storyline was inspired by the story of what happened to Dr Nazim Mahmood (Matt's fiancé) [14]

In 2023 the Foundation launched a parent-led support group for Desi parents who have LGBTQI+ children.[15], and appeared in the BBC One documentary My Hindu Coming Out Story,[16] as part of the series Love, Faith and Me.

Awards

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: My boyfriend killed himself because his family couldn't accept that he was gay. The Guardian. 21 March 2015 .
  2. Web site: Matt Mahmood-Ogston. 2021-10-06. Matt Mahmood-Ogston's personal website. en-GB.
  3. Web site: About Naz and Matt Foundation. Naz and Matt Foundation.
  4. Book: Salim's Secret. .
  5. Web site: Tackling religious homophobia with the Naz and Matt Foundation. The Co-operative Academy of Leeds.
  6. Web site: Fiancé of doctor driven to suicide calls on homophobic communities to 'open their eyes'. Ham and High. 11 December 2014 .
  7. Web site: Asian And Gay: Doctor Was Driven To His Death. Sky News.
  8. News: Naz Mahmood death: Support group for gay Asians created. BBC News.
  9. Web site: The petition to end 'Gay Conversion Therapy in the UK. Cities of London & Westminster Labour Party. 2017-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223221535/http://www.westminsterlabour.co.uk/sign_the_petition_gay_conversion_therapy. 2017-12-23. dead.
  10. Web site: The Journey To Find Acceptance - ITV News Interview. ITV News.
  11. Web site: Be the Man (the story of Naz and Matt). The Young'uns.
  12. Web site: Rana kidnapped by her family next week – Bhavna Limbachia reveals all. Radio Times.
  13. Web site: Bhavna Limbachia and Matt Mahmood-Ogston interviewed on BBC Breakfast TV. BBC Breakfast (YouTube).
  14. Web site: A gay Muslim who took his own life has inspired a Coronation Street storyline. iNews. 24 April 2018 .
  15. Web site: 2023-03-10. Foundation Launches New Support Group for Desi Parents of LGBTQI+ Children. 2023-03-19. Naz and Matt Foundation. en-GB.
  16. Web site: 2023-03-08. My Hindu Coming Out Story. 2023-03-19. BBC. en-GB.
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvVcyUJZYhE
  18. Web site: 2021-11-04. Best Programme/Show of 2021. 2023-03-19. Asian Media Awards. en-GB.
  19. Web site: 2020-10-06. Iris Prize Best British Short films head to All 4. 2023-03-19. Channel 4. en-GB.
  20. https://irisprize.org/film/my-god-im-queer/
  21. Web site: 2021-11-04. My God, I'm Queer. 2023-03-19. Iris Prize. en-GB.
  22. Web site: 2021-10-06. Winners of The London Faith & Belief Community Awards 2020. 2021-10-06. The Faith & Belief Forum. en-GB.
  23. Web site: Shortlisted for a British LGBT Award. Diva Magazine. 5 February 2019 .
  24. Web site: True Honour Award for "Outstanding Organisation Tackling 'Honour' Based Violence". IKWRO.
  25. Web site: Shortlisted for "Upstanding Organisation Award" by No2H8 Crime Awards. Tell MAMA. 3 October 2017 .
  26. Web site: JCI award for 'Cultural Achievement'. JCI United Kingdom.
  27. Web site: The Rainbow List 2015: A celebration of pioneers and influencers. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/therainbowlist/the-rainbow-list-2015-a-celebration-of-pioneers-and-influencers-a6695061.html . 18 June 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent on Sunday. 15 October 2015 .
  28. Web site: Awarded the Attitude Pride Award for 'building bridges between religious and LGBT communities'. Attitude Magazine.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Naz and Matt Foundation".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.