Lady Phyll: The Visionary Who Created Black Pride
The Fearless Activist Who Transformed LGBTQ+ Rights in the UK
Did you know that one of the most important figures in modern LGBTQ+ activism refused to accept an MBE from the Queen? While others eagerly accepted royal honours, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah—known widely as Lady Phyll—declined because she could not accept an award from an empire that had colonised and criminalised her ancestors and continues to impact LGBTQ+ people around the world. This powerful act of principle perfectly encapsulates the woman who has revolutionised the landscape of intersectional activism in the United Kingdom.
Who Is Lady Phyll?
Born Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah in London to Ghanaian parents, Lady Phyll has been a force of nature in LGBTQ+ activism, particularly in advocating for Black queer people whose voices have historically been marginalized within both the LGBTQ+ and Black communities.
Her professional journey reflects her commitment to justice and equality. Beyond her activism, she has worked as a senior official in the Public and Commercial Services Union, fighting for workers' rights and bringing her intersectional approach to labour organising. Her ability to connect different forms of oppression—racism, homophobia, transphobia, and economic injustice—has made her one of the most insightful and effective activists of her generation.
A mother, a trade unionist, and a tireless community builder, Lady Phyll hasn't just advocated for change—she's created spaces where change can happen.
The Revolutionary Creation of UK Black Pride
In 2005, Lady Phyll co-founded UK Black Pride, Europe's largest celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent. What began as a small gathering of friends on a trip to Southend-on-Sea has grown into an annual event attracting thousands of attendees.
UK Black Pride wasn't just another event on the LGBTQ+ calendar—it was a revolutionary response to the whitewashing of mainstream Pride celebrations. Lady Phyll recognised that Black LGBTQ+ people were expected to choose between their racial identity and their sexuality, finding full acceptance in neither community. UK Black Pride created a space where people could bring their whole selves without compromise.
"We exist in the Black community, and we exist in the LGBTQ+ community," Lady Phyll has said. "We're not going anywhere, and we deserve spaces where we can celebrate all parts of ourselves."
Standing Against Colonialism's Legacy
In 2016, Lady Phyll was offered an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's New Year Honours list. Many would have considered this a crowning achievement, but Lady Phyll made headlines by declining the honour.
Her reason was both personal and political: she could not accept an award from an empire that had instituted anti-LGBTQ+ laws in its colonies—laws that continue to criminalise same-sex relationships in many Commonwealth countries today. Many of these colonial-era laws remain on the books in countries like Ghana, Lady Phyll's ancestral homeland.
This wasn't just a symbolic stance. Lady Phyll regularly works with LGBTQ+ activists across Africa and the Caribbean who face persecution under these colonial-era laws. Her rejection of the MBE highlighted the ongoing impact of British colonialism on LGBTQ+ rights globally.
Beyond Pride: Building Movements
Lady Phyll's influence extends far beyond creating UK Black Pride. As the executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust, she leads an organisation that works to uphold the human rights of LGBTQ+ people in countries where they face discrimination and persecution.
She has also been a powerful voice in connecting various social justice movements, recognising that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights cannot be separated from anti-racism work, immigrant rights, and economic justice. When the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum in 2020, Lady Phyll was among the leaders emphasizing that Black trans and queer lives must be centred in the conversation.
"Our liberation is bound together," she often says. "We cannot fight for LGBTQ+ rights without fighting against racism, and we cannot fight against racism without standing up for LGBTQ+ people within our communities."
Why She Deserves to Be Remembered
Without Lady Phyll, the landscape of LGBTQ+ activism in the UK would look radically different. Her insistence on creating spaces where Black LGBTQ+ people could celebrate their full identities has transformed countless lives and set a powerful example for what truly inclusive activism looks like.
She wasn't just an activist—she was a visionary who saw the need for a new kind of Pride celebration when mainstream events failed to represent the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. She was a bridge-builder who connected different communities and movements. And she was a principled leader who wasn't afraid to say no to establishment recognition when it came with colonial baggage.
Let's Give Credit Where It's Due
Lady Phyll's story is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful change often comes from those who are willing to create spaces and institutions that don't yet exist. Rather than waiting for established organisations to become more inclusive, she built something new—something that centred those who had been pushed to the margins.
In a world that often asks marginalised people to fragment their identities, Lady Phyll's work insists on wholeness. UK Black Pride's motto—"We are the ones we've been waiting for"—reflects her understanding that communities must often create their own liberation.
Today, as we witness growing attacks on both LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice, Lady Phyll's intersectional approach is more vital than ever. Her legacy isn't just in the events she's created but in the way she's transformed how we think about identity, community, and solidarity.
What do you think? Have you heard of Lady Phyll before? Let's spread the word about her revolutionary contributions to LGBTQ+ activism and her vision of a world where no one has to choose between parts of their identity!
