Filmmaker,
Keynote Speaker,
Charity Founder,
Human Rights Campaigner

“As a young boy I dreamt of changing the world but I was made to believe it was impossible.

After tragically losing my soulmate, the love of my life, I have no option left but to change it. “

Matt grew up in a deeply homophobic area of South Birmingham (UK) and studied photography and filmmaking after leaving school. Struggling for years to accept his own sexuality, at the age of 23 Matt ‘came out’ to himself. He finally felt strong enough to accept who he was, and how he was born.

Soon after he met Naz in a nightclub in Birmingham. Naz was 21. They quickly fell in love. They ran away to London to be themselves and escape the intense pressures of not being out to family. They grew tired of having to keep their relationship a secret, fearing what might happen if they were found out by Naz’s religious parents.

After 13 years together and engaged to be married, Naz, a successful and much loved GP, sadly took his own life two days after being confronted by his family about his sexuality. It was the first time they had been faced with the truth that their son was gay, in a long term relationship with another man and planning to get married.

One of their solutions was to tell Naz that he needed to be ‘cured’ for being gay. They did not want ‘shame’ brought upon their family.

In memory of his soulmate Naz, Matt went on to start ‘Naz and Matt Foundation‘ – a multi award-winning charity that tackles religious and cultural homophobia in schools, colleges, universities, families and communities. The charity’s mission is to “Never let religion, any religion, come in the way of the unconditional love between parents and their children”.

Public Speaking

As Spokesperson and Chair, Matt speaks frequently at public events, conferences and in the local, national and international press about the dangers of homophobia triggered by conservative religious and cultural beliefs.

Matt has dedicated his life to preventing what happened to his fiancé Naz happening to anyone else, ever again. He is a much sought after Keynote Speaker who is able to engage and captivate audiences as he talks from the heart about unconditional love, acceptance, motivation, religion + faith, goal setting and finding inner peace.

Filmmaking

Channeling is love for Naz, and honouring the stories of the hundreds of individuals who have now contacted Matt, he has embarked on his journey as a filmmaker.

• My God, I’m Queer (2019, 60 mins)
  A documentary that beautifully explores the lives of several Queer Muslims as they go about their daily lives. The film, which is currently in production, is helping to create a positive, uplifting message that will inspire the audience to be themselves, find greater acceptance and ultimately prevent another tragedy from happening again.
• To Chechnya, With Love (2019, 7 mins)
  Short film highlighting the human rights abuses taking place against gay people in Chechnya.
• The Search for Sunrise (2015, 11 mins)
  Short film about tragedy, unconditional love and never, ever giving up on the person you love most.