Matt Mahmood-Ogston of Naz and Matt attending private reception at 10 Downing Street
Matt Mahmood-Ogston of Naz and Matt attending a private reception at 10 Downing Street

Foundation attends private reception with UK Prime Minister

Building bridges between faith and LGBTQI+ communities: How unexpected conversations at 10 Downing Street are creating new paths to acceptance and understanding.

The most important room is always the most uncomfortable one

Walking through the black door of 10 Downing Street, home of the UK Prime Minister, taught me something powerful about leadership.

Just before Christmas, I received an invitation to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. A private reception. Senior Church leaders. Key government figures. The sort of room that makes your palms sweat and your heart race.

Real change – never happens in comfortable spaces.

When I founded our charity in 2014, after losing my fiancé Naz to religious homophobia, I learned this lesson the hard way. The conversations that matter most are usually the ones that feel the heaviest.

The rooms that can create the biggest impact are often the ones where you feel like you don’t belong.

But that’s exactly why you need to be there.

Standing in Number 10, it reminded me of something crucial about being a charity leader – your responsibility extends far beyond your comfort zone.

Think about it:

  • Every uncomfortable conversation is a chance to save a life
  • Every difficult room is an opportunity to change minds
  • Every challenging moment is a step toward preventing another tragedy

The truth is, our community needs voices in these spaces.

When you’re advocating for LGBTQI+ individuals from religious families, you can’t wait for change to happen naturally. You have to walk into rooms where decisions are made.

Start conversations that might feel awkward.

Share stories that need to be heard.

Even when your voice shakes.

Especially when your voice shakes.

Because here’s what nobody tells you about creating social change:
The most important work happens in the spaces that make you most uncomfortable.

I’ve seen this play out many times:

  • When parents first struggle to accept their LGBTQI+ children
  • When religious leaders begin questioning long-held beliefs
  • When politicians start understanding the real impact of their policies

The magic happens in the discomfort.

Since 2014, our Foundation has been building bridges between religious communities and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Every breakthrough started with an uncomfortable conversation.

Every positive change began with someone willing to step into an challenging space.

That’s why I walked through that black door.
That’s why I’ll keep walking through doors that intimidate me.
That’s why I’ll never stop pushing for change, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Because sometimes, the most important room is the one that scares you the most.

My question for you

What positive changes do you hope to see for LGBTQI+ individuals from religious families in 2025?

Let that sink in.