LGBTQ+ Activist Moud Goba To Be Honored With BET International Global Good Award
Moud Goba - Aaron J. Thornton / Stringer
The 2023 BET International Global Good Award will be given to the LGBTQ+ activist Moud Goba. The honor is given by BET International to famous figures who make good use of their influence for social responsibility and goodness while displaying a dedication to the welfare of the Black community worldwide. Akon, a musician and philanthropist, and Sitawa Wafula, a mental health champion from Kenya, were previous awardees.
The Zimbabwe-born activist has spent the past 20 years working with several U.K.-based grassroots organizations focused on fostering LGBTQ+ safe spaces and refugee integration in society. Goba works as national manager for Micro Rainbow, an initiative that provides safe shelters for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees, and her role there earned her a place on the 2022 BBC 100 Women list. Goba was also involved in the safe integration of LGBTQ+ refugees arriving in the U.K. from Afghanistan. She also serves as one of U.K. Black Pride’s founding members and chairs its board of trustees.
When told about the announcement, Goba said: “It is such a humbling experience to be recognized for this award – I feel happy, proud, excited, and overwhelmed.” She also stated how the award shines a light on the work of Micro Rainbow and what the organization does to support LGBTQI+ refugees. “This achievement validates the lived experiences of refugees like myself and those who are still walking the journey to finding safety and freedom.”
Senior VP and co-general manager of Paramount Africa Monde Twala praised Moud, claiming that Moud has been pivotal in the lives of many—"We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate her monumental contributions to the LGBTQ+ community with this year’s BET International Global Good Award.” Twala explains how BET’s Global Good honorees have become a significant part of BET International’s legacy, and it's the company's duty to continue recognizing the positive impacts of their work for the global Black community.
The BET Awards 2023 will simulcast live on BET Africa, BET Pluto Brazil, and MTV Brazil on June 25, followed by international broadcasts on MTV U.K. on June 26 and BET France on June 27. The show will also be available on-demand in the U.K. via My5 and Sky VOD.