Saima Razzaq

Last updated

Saima Razzaq
Born
Saima Razzaq

Birmingham, England
Occupation(s)Political activist and educator

Saima Razzaq is a British political activist and educator, co-chair of SEEDS (Supporting the Education of Equality in Schools) and Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Birmingham Pride. Razzaq actively campaigns for LGBT inclusive education in schools and was the first Muslim woman to lead a Pride parade in Britain. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Razzaq was born in Britain and raised in Small Heath in Birmingham. She is of Pakistani heritage. [2] Her family moved from India to Pakistan before partition, then migrated to the United Kingdom in the 1970s from Kashmir. [3]

Career

Razzaq is a former BBC producer, [4] music journalist [5] and former Head of Digital, Marketing and Communications at Robert Walters recruitment consultancy. [6] She also previously worked as Head of Content Marketing and Social Media at HomeServe. [7] [ self-published source? ]

Political activism

Razzaq is well known for her activism on race, gender, racism and LGBT+ rights in the United Kingdom. She is a founding member and co-chair of SEEDS (Supporting the Education of Equality in Schools), which was formed by teachers as a 1,000-member network in response to protests against LGBT inclusive education outside schools in Birmingham, specifically the No Outsiders programme created by school teacher Andrew Moffat. [8] The group is dedicated to promoting the education of equality and diversity in schools, including LGBT+ inclusive education throughout primary and secondary school. [9] [10]

During the Anderton Park Primary School protests in 2019, Razzaq was a mediator between teachers, parent groups and the city's LGBT community, working to challenge both homophobia and Islamophobia. [11] [12] She said that “as a Pakistani Muslim I do often feel caught in the middle of two conflicting communities. As much as inherent homophobia and transphobia exists within my community we must also recognise the inherent racism within LGBTQI community." [13] She also said she felt uncomfortable with the media creating a “them and us” narrative which demonised her community for holding prejudicial views that existed in wider British society. [14]

She also claimed the voices of Muslim women were "being lost", saying "women need to and should be at the forefront of the conversation on gender and sexuality in an Islamic context. Our bodies and our sexuality need to be defined by our voices." [15]

In April 2019, Razzaq called out and met with Labour MP John Spellar after he was one of only 21 Members of Parliament to vote against the government's new LGBT-inclusive guidance for compulsory relationships and sex education. [16] The intervention led to Spellar reversing his opposition to the measures. [17] In June 2019, she challenged Labour MP Roger Godsiff's support of anti-LGBT school protests. [18] Godsiff was subsequently reported to the party whip, deselected and lost his Birmingham Hall Green parliamentary seat during the 2019 United Kingdom General Election. [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

In May 2019, Razzaq jointly led Birmingham Pride alongside Moffat and several LGBT Muslims, making her the first Muslim woman to lead a Pride parade in the UK. The event was also the first time Muslims had led a Pride parade in Britain. [24] [25] [26]

In June 2019, she spoke at a 'Defending Equality' event organised by Southall Black Sisters and Feminist Dissent, alongside Jess Phillips MP, Khakan Qureshi, Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson and Stephen Cowden to show solidarity with schools affected by anti-LGBT protests. [27] [28]

In July 2020, Razzaq criticised the 2022 Commonwealth Games describing the event as a "PR stunt" which is "steeped in colonialism" and a "waste of money". [29] [30] However, in August 2022, she told The Guardian she had a "complicated relationship" with the Commonwealth but acknowledged the Games were "exciting". [31]

Razzaq has voiced her support for decolonising the national curriculum [32] and LGBT spaces to make them more inclusive. [33] She has praised UK Black Pride as a model for LGBT events. [34] In August 2021, she was appointed Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Birmingham Pride.

In August 2021, she chaired the Soap Box event as part of Ikon Gallery's annual Migrant Festival [35] [36] to mark Refugee Week and World Refugee Day.

In October 2021, Razzaq spoke out against an increased number of homophobic attacks in Birmingham, [37] [38] [39] and continues to campaign against hate crime. [40] In response to hate crime incidents, Razzaq co-founded Brum Against Hate with activists Adam Yosef and Salman Mirza, organising protests demanding safer spaces for the LGBT community. [41]

In February 2022, a guest speaker lecture by Razzaq at the University of Birmingham was reportedly cancelled by senior members of the university after she asked for a change of venue, so as not to cross the picket line in solidarity with striking academic staff. She was due to give a lecture on intersectionality, inclusivity and diversity as an official representative of Birmingham Pride during LGBT History Month but was unable to do so. It was later rescheduled by the university. [42] [43] [44]

Personal life

Razzaq is openly lesbian and is critical of parents who do not support their child's sexuality. [45] She did not come out to her family until she was 29. [46] She is a Muslim. [47] [48]

Recognition

Filmography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Tatchell</span> Australian-born British human rights campaigner (born 1952)

Peter Gary Tatchell is an Australian-born British human rights campaigner, best known for his work with LGBT social movements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Godsiff</span> British Independent politician

Roger Duncan Godsiff is a British former politician who served as the Labour Member of Parliament (MP) from 1992 to 2019, for the seats of Birmingham Small Heath, Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath, and Birmingham Hall Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stonewall (charity)</span> UK-based charity and advocacy group for LGBT rights

Stonewall Equality Limited, trading as Stonewall, is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) rights charity in the United Kingdom. It is the largest LGBT rights organisation in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Spellar</span> British politician (born 1947)

John Francis Spellar, Baron Spellar,, is a British politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Warley, formerly Warley West, from 1992 to 2024. A member of the Labour Party, he previously represented Birmingham Northfield from 1982 to 1983. He served as a minister in various departments between 1997 and 2005, and as Comptroller of the Household in the Whips' Office between 2008 and 2010. After Labour entered opposition, he served as a shadow Foreign Office minister from 2010 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Ukraine</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in Ukraine face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT individuals; historically, the prevailing social and political attitudes have been intolerant of LGBT people, and strong evidence suggests this attitude remains in parts of the wider society. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's independence in 1991, the Ukrainian LGBT community has gradually become more visible and more organized politically, organizing several LGBT events in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kryvyi Rih.

Adam Yosef is a British journalist, photojournalist and political activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom</span>

The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have developed significantly over time. Today, lesbian, gay and bisexual rights are considered to be advanced by international standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Turkey</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in Turkey face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents, though the overall situation is considered to be less repressive when compared to most other Muslim-majority countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester Pride</span> Annual LGBT event in Manchester, England

Manchester Pride is a charity that campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality across the United Kingdom, predominantly in Greater Manchester. The Charity offers dialogue, training, research and policy analysis, advocacy and outreach activities focusing on LGBTQ+ rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Scotland</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Scotland are generally in line with the rest of the United Kingdom, which have evolved extensively over time and are now regarded as some of the most progressive in Europe. In both 2015 and 2016, Scotland was recognised as the "best country in Europe for LGBTI legal equality".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shabana Mahmood</span> British politician (born 1980)

Shabana Mahmood is a British politician and barrister who has been serving as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice since 2024. A member of the Labour Party, she has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010. Between 2010 and 2024 she held various shadow junior ministerial and shadow cabinet positions under leaders Ed Miliband, Harriet Harman, and Keir Starmer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Istanbul Pride</span> Annual LGBT event in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Pride is a pride parade and LGBTQ demonstration held annually in Turkey's biggest city, Istanbul since 2003. Participants assemble in Taksim Square before marching the entire length of İstiklal Avenue. It has been described as the first and biggest LGBT event in Muslim-majority countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salma Yaqoob</span> British politician (born 1971)

Salma Yaqoob is a British political activist and psychotherapist who served as the Leader of the Respect Party from 2005 until 2012, representing the party on Birmingham City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jess Phillips</span> British politician (born 1981)

Jessica Rose Phillips is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Yardley since 2015. A member of the Labour Party, she has served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls since July 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosie Duffield</span> British politician

Rosemary Clare Duffield is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Canterbury since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonia Antoniazzi</span> Welsh Labour politician, MP for Gower

Antonia Louise Antoniazzi is a Welsh Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gower since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pride Cymru</span> Gay pride event in Cardiff, Wales

Pride Cymru is an LGBT pride festival held annually in Cardiff, Wales.

Parkfield Community School is a primary school in Saltley, Birmingham, West Midlands, England. In 2013, it became an academy school, which means it receives its funding directly from the central rather than local government, in contrast with a community school. The government authority Ofsted found that the school maintained high standards in inspections in 2016 and 2019. In 2019 98% of the students were Muslim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Moffat</span> British primary school teacher and author

Andrew Moffat is a British teacher at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham, and the author of several books and educational resources, including the No Outsiders programme, an approach to teaching primary school-aged children about diversity and tolerance, for which he was nominated for the Global Teacher Prize. His programme has attracted protests on religious grounds, and was briefly halted in 2019, before being reinstated. Moffat was awarded an MBE in 2017 for services to equality in education.

The LGB Alliance is a British advocacy group and registered charity founded in 2019 in opposition to the policies of LGBT rights charity Stonewall on transgender issues. Its founders are Bev Jackson, Kate Harris, Allison Bailey, Malcolm Clark and Ann Sinnott. The LGB Alliance describes its objective as "asserting the right of lesbians, bisexuals and gay men to define themselves as same-sex attracted", and states that such a right is threatened by "attempts to introduce confusion between biological sex and the notion of gender". The group has opposed a ban on conversion therapy that includes trans people in the UK, opposed the use of puberty blockers for children, and opposed gender recognition reform.

References

  1. ↑ "United we must stand". midlandszone.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "South Asian Heritage Month: The history-maker who led Birmingham's Pride Parade". ITV News. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "'It's not all celebratory': five Birmingham residents on the Commonwealth". The Guardian. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ↑ EDITOR (25 August 2021). "Meet the women transforming Birmingham Pride". DIVA. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Why Birmingham women are celebrating International Women's Day?". I Am Birmingham. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "What it's like to work for us". www.robertwalters.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "Birmingham school row: 'This is made out to be just Muslims v gays. It's not'". The Guardian. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "Faith In Our Community with Panel Discussion with SEEDS". Shout Festival. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "LGBT+ group reach out to protesting parents who shut down same-sex relationships classes". The Independent. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "LGBT people 'never felt more vulnerable' in Birmingham". BBC News. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  12. ↑ "White middle-class people should not 'point fingers' at parents protesting against equality lessons, diversity campaigner says". The Independent. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  13. ↑ ABPL. "'No Outsiders': The fight between education, religion and mis-information..." www.asian-voice.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  14. ↑ Lathigra, Kalpesh; Khan, Aina J. (3 February 2022). "Why Claiming British Identity Is Complicated". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  15. ↑ Besanvalle, James (15 July 2019). "Birmingham school protests: Muslim women's voices are lost in the debate". Gay Star News. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  16. ↑ "These 21 MPs voted against LGBT-inclusive relationship education". PinkNews. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  17. ↑ Storer, Rhi (8 April 2019). "MP John Spellar backs LGBT inclusive education following equality vote gaffe". I Am Birmingham. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  18. ↑ Haynes, Jane (7 June 2019). "Councillor urges school protesters – 'call off the demo'". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "General Election 2019: MP deselected over LGBT row stands as independent". BBC News. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  20. ↑ "Birmingham Labour MP boosts attack on LGBT+ education". Socialist Worker (Britain). 9 June 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  21. ↑ "Labour colleagues outraged after MP Roger Godsiff backs anti-LGBT protest". The Guardian. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  22. ↑ Media, P. A. (8 November 2019). "Ex-Labour MP to run as independent after being dropped over LGBT row". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  23. ↑ "Former Labour MP, who backed anti-LGBTQ protesters in Birmingham, fails to win seat". Attitude.co.uk. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  24. ↑ Preece, Ashley (25 May 2019). "No Outsiders teacher leads Pride parade after school LGBT protests". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  25. ↑ Mahmood, Basit (25 May 2019). "Crowds of LGBT Muslims lead their first ever pride march in Birmingham". Metro. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  26. ↑ "Teacher in LGBT classes row leads Birmingham Pride". Sky News. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  27. ↑ Admin, S. B. S. (12 June 2019). "In Defence of Equality in Birmingham Schools". Southall Black Sisters. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  28. ↑ "Equality lessons row: MP Jess Phillips to speak in solidarity with Birmingham schools tonight". www.midlandszone.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  29. ↑ Cardwell, Mark (7 July 2020). "Brum's 2022 Commonwealth Games is a reminder of the 'bloody past'". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  30. ↑ Haynes, Jane (26 July 2020). "Birmingham 2022 Board member quits to make way for black colleague". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  31. ↑ "'It's not all celebratory': five Birmingham residents on the Commonwealth". The Guardian. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  32. ↑ "Curriculum Liberation Calendar". warwick.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  33. ↑ @pridehousebham (9 August 2021). "Congratulations" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2023– via Twitter.
  34. ↑ Mahmood, Basit (7 July 2019). "'Racism is rife in LGBT spaces, that's why we needed Black Pride'". Metro. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  35. ↑ @mcsaima (12 August 2021). "I'm really looking forward…" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2023– via Twitter.
  36. ↑ "Soapbox – To imagine | Ikon". www.ikon-gallery.org. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  37. ↑ "Hundreds gather in Birmingham to protest over homophobic attacks". BBC News. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  38. ↑ "Second protest held in Birmingham after homophobic attacks". BBC News. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "Protests held in Birmingham over recent wave of LGBTQ+ hate crimes". GAY TIMES. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "Rise in hate crime reporting: 'Verbal and physical abuse happens daily'". BBC News. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  41. ↑ Clarke, Nathan (21 November 2022). "Faith leaders 'have to stand' with gay community to face off hate". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  42. ↑ Vasta, Anisah (17 February 2022). "Guest lecturer claims talk 'axed' over refusal to cross picket line". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  43. ↑ "Everything that has happened in the first two weeks of strikes in Birmingham". University of Birmingham. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  44. ↑ "Lecture 'Cancelled' After Guest Speaker Refused to Cross Picket Line | Redbrick News". Redbrick. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  45. ↑ "School LGBT protests 'really upsetting'". BBC News. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  46. ↑ "South Asian Heritage Month: The history-maker who led Birmingham's Pride Parade". ITV News. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  47. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 – The Exchange, Faith and Sexuality". BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  48. ↑ "What's on TV and radio tonight: Wednesday, August 4". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  49. ↑ Staff Reporter (10 June 2020). "1,000 billboards donated across UK to showcase LGBTQ+ people for Pride month". I Am Birmingham. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  50. ↑ Zone, Midlands (September 2020). "Midlands Zone Honorary Awards". Midlands Zone.
  51. ↑ "My God, I'm Queer". Naz and Matt Foundation. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  52. ↑ "Iris Prize Best British Short films head to All 4 | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  53. ↑ "Stars get glammed up for Asian Media Awards in glittering ceremony in Trafford". www.msn.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  54. ↑ "ShortFilmFestival". Film Carnage. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.