For most people finding the love of your life is something to be shared and celebrated with family and friends. But for some, the reality is much more painful. Tara O’Connor from the Slough Express talks to Matthew about the love of his life, and what happened.
—
A charity hoping to tackle homophobia triggered by religion was started by Matt Ogston, a website designer who works at an online company in Slough.
His 37-year-old fiancé, Naz, took his own life last year just two days after being confronted by his Muslim family about his sexuality. After hiding his sexuality for his whole life in a bid not to upset his family, Naz and Matt’s relationship had to be kept secret.
After a simple ‘can I sit here’ from Naz in a club, the couple hit it off, spending 13 happy years together and getting engaged on their 10th anniversary.
But while living in Birmingham as a couple, the pair had to keep their relationship to themselves in fear of being found out by the 34-year-old’s family.
This included them having to not walk too close together down the street and keeping their curtains closed in the home they shared.
In 2004 they moved to Hampstead in London. Here they built a new life where they felt free to be themselves.
But on a trip back to Birmingham last July for Eid celebrations, Naz was confronted by his family about his sexuality.
Matt said at the time he didn’t know exactly what had been said but remembers Naz, who was a doctor, being withdrawn and quiet when the couple returned to London the following day.
Naz jumped from the balcony of their flat on July 30 last year.
During the inquest into his death, it came out he had told his family all about Matt and their life together but was told he could be ‘cured.’
In the weeks that followed Matt felt he could no longer go on without his ‘soulmate’ and considered taking his own life.
But in the depths of his sadness he said he heard Naz’s voice telling him to help others.
“Naz was the most important thing in my life, it has still destroyed me,” said Matt.
“He was the most incredible and beautiful person and I never want to lose the feeling of him being here.”
To cope with his loss, Matt set up the Naz and Matt Foundation last year and has gone on to receive letters from people around the world in the same position as his fiancée was.
Matt, who is still grieving for his partner, said even simple things such as watching television brings back painful memories of their time together.
He has now channelled his feelings into the foundation and is trying to make a positive change.
Although he doesn’t ever think Naz’s family will accept the fact he was gay, he has not lost hope.
“I think it is unlikely but I hope that one day they might understand Naz,” said Matt. “It’s too late for him but we can carry on his legacy to help other people.”
The aim of the charity is to encourage people, particularly religious communities, to accept lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals.
At the moment, Matt’s focus is on the Muslim community but he hopes to engage with people of all faiths to open up discussion and encourage people to be more accepting of their sexuality and gender identity.
His efforts so far have included a walk from London to Naz’s grave in Birmingham, an event which attracted the attention of the national media, including Sky News, and ensured the foundation became known at home and abroad.
Matt has also visited schools to talk about homophobia and hopes the foundation can be used as a sign-posting organisation for LGBTQI people to find support.
Matt is currently planning on more talks at schools in East London but hopes to bring the foundation to Slough and Windsor in the near future.
“He spent his whole life helping other people” added Matt.
“I thought if I don’t speak out then Naz’s life would have been lost for no reason.”
Dearest Matt. My name is Sonny from the Midlands, I’m 47, British born Sikh, divorced last year after a 20 year arranged marriage. While being single I’m exploring my sexuality atm as I think I might actually be gay as I have all round attraction to men now. I am currently searching for my soul mate and actively searching for him for the last six months. I came across your Sky news interview and I felt compelled to contact you. First of all Matt. I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I really am. I know exactly the kinds of feelings that Naz must have felt because once I have found my soul mate I am absolutely dreading tellling my traditional Asian family. My parents are in their 70s and my sister and brother are both settled in long term relationships. It’s just I come from a background and community where such important life issues are never discussed or brought out in the open and anything that is not deemed to be ‘normal’ , heterosexualised or secularised is deemed to be forbidden. Even in the Sikh temples nobody seems to address issues such as domestic violence, mental health, disability or even divorce and single families. Plus the people with religious responsibilities in the Sikh community are not presenting the right messages..The holy book doesn’t denounce homosexuality but that doesn’t mean it shouldnt stay a silent issue especially in the diverse society I love to live in. No wonder loads of Asian guys like myself have to take great unnecessary lengths to hide our true sexuality as there is so much ignorance about it. Plus, this is grossly unfair on a non Asian partner who should be fully respected, embraced and loved by his Asian partners family. Therefore, your story really strongly resonates with me and feel very fortunate to have role models such as yourself spearheading a better understanding of same sex relationships and love without it causing any religious conflict. Some people should not use religion to hide hard core realities to ‘protect’ themselves without having a proper understanding of the scriptures. I know for sure during the Sikh times of the Gurus, homoeroticism was rife and like it was in the Ancient Rome and Greek times therefore such activities were not denounced in the holy book as it was widely accepted practice which reinforced masculinity to prepare the men for marriages. Therefore the work you are doing is superb and needs to happen nationwide. The middle classes in India are far more advanced than the backward Asians here in the UK. I for one know that in my heart, when I find my soul mate and hne finds me, I will not be able to contain my feelings and will definitely come out to my family as it would be totally unfair on my partner to keep it secret ..it needs to be open so it can become more accepted. However, I will need support when that times comes. I’m planning for it now even before I’ve met him! Plus, Matt, what you are doing is so brilliant that it will really help a lot of Asian guys like me. It’s brilliant though that you have channelled your grief in such a productive way to avoid anything like this ever happening again, however please make sure Matt you take care of yourself and give yourself sufficient recovery time as it must be really hard getting over the death of a soul mate /long term partner. God bless you forever and feel free to get in touch if you’d like to chat. Best regards, Sonny x