Talks & Workshops
A keynote speaker that will leave your audience truly moved and deep in thought, long after your conference ends.
Book me as your Keynote Speaker
"Matt’s talk was genuinely one of the most powerful and moving I have ever heard in my 20 years as a research academic."
- Dr Roxanne Khan
Public Speaker
Keynote Speaker
I am the Founder and Chair of Naz and Matt Foundation, a multi award-winning charity dedicated to removing the barriers that prevent religious and culturally conservative parents from understanding and accepting the children they gave birth to.
I set up the Foundation in memory of my fiancé and soulmate, Dr Naz Mahmood, who sadly took his own life two days after his deeply religious parents confronted him about his sexuality.
As an experienced Keynote Speaker I now speak across a number of challenging topics, hoping to bring the positive change to the world that Naz dreamt of one day seeing.
"It is people like you who are going to change the world."
- Audience member, Bradford, West Yorkshire
"Matt is one of the most powerful speakers I have ever heard. He has a very level of humility that enables him to achieve a very high degree of emotional connection with his audience."
- Pete Ashby, National LGBT+ Police Conference organiser
Public Speaker - An authentic voice with lived experience
Award-Winning Human Rights Campaigner & Filmmaker
Over the last seven years I have delivered over 70 talks, workshops and seminars to audiences across the UK.
From central government departments to public sector organisations, from non-profits to large multinational corporations, from schools to universities and also to front line services including several police forces, Home Office and the fire service.
In 2021 I was awarded the “Top 10 Outstanding Contribution to LGBT Life” award by the British LGBT+ Awards. In the same year my film, My God, I'm Queer, won Best TV Programme of 2021 at the Asian Media Awards.
In 2020 I was nominated for a National Diversity “Positive Role Model Award”.
In 2015 I was presented with the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award, and voted the 6th most influential LGBTI person in the UK by the Independent on Sunday .
In 2014 I was awarded the Attitude Pride Award for ‘Building bridges between religious and LGBT+ communities’.
My campaigning and human rights work has led to numerous awards and nominations through my leadership of Naz and Matt Foundation - including the Bank of London’s Rainbow Honours Awards Campaign of the Year (2022), Faith and Belief Community Award (2020), National Diversity “Community Organisation” Award, IKWRO’s Special Recognition Award for ‘Outstanding Organisation Tackling “Honour” Based Violence’, and the No2H8 Crime Award.
"This session was one of the most moving I've ever attending [sic]. It was really emotional for me and I learned an awful lot from Matt."
- Audience member attending online event during lockdown
"A totally motivational experience that empowers audience members."
- Adam Beral, Switchboard LGBT+
“An outstanding, powerful and truly inspiring talk that moved everyone to tears. No-one will forget the talk.”
- Trudy Gittins, West Midlands Police
Public Speaking Engagements
Home Office, Department for Education, House of Lords, Police Scotland, West Midlands Police, Staffordshire Police, Hampshire Constabulary, National LGBT+ Police Conference, HMRC, National Day of Memory, University of Birmingham, University of Derby, University of Warwick, University of Oxford, University of Central Lancashire. Walsall College, Multiple NHS Trusts., Capgemini (multiple appearances), Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra’s anniversary concert, Fourth Choir Christmas Concert, Switchboard, FFLAG, Karma Nirvana, London Fire Brigade, Milton Keynes Pride, Portsmouth Pride
Audience & Organiser Testimonials
A selections of comments and feedback received from the 70+ talks and workshops delivered across England and Scotland.
Dr Roxanne Khan
University of Central Lancashire
"Matt’s talk was genuinely one of the most powerful and moving I have ever heard in my 20 years as a research academic."
Pete Ashby
National LGBT+ Police Conference
"Matt is one of the most powerful speakers I have ever heard. He has a very level of humility that enables him to achieve a very high degree of emotional connection with his audience."
Bec Tigue
Head of UoB School
Matt’s courage was an inspiration to them all, and many spoke of his bravery at speaking to strangers of his love and loss.
M Wells
Hathershaw College, Oldham
“I have sat through many a talk from visiting speakers; none have had the impact that Matthew had when he visited Hathershaw.”
Maria Dent
Senior Lecturer, University of Derby
“To say that his lecture was impactful would be an understatement! As well as being personally, emotionally moved, they became more aware of the importance of openness.”
Example titles of talks
Challenge your limiting beliefs: What’s preventing you from living your truth?
Honourlogue: The Tragic but Inspirational Love Story of Naz and Matt
From the Edge of Darkness: Finding Hope When Everything Else Has Gone
Finding your soulmate and never, ever letting go.
Hope: Sometimes it’s all we have.
True love never dies.
My journey to find acceptance.
Messages from the grave that saved me
Be the person you were born to be.