Community Organizing, Rights & Justice · Lesbian · British
About
A British activist, community organizer, human rights defender, and anti-racism campaigner, widely known as Lady Phyll. She is the Founder and CEO of UK Black Pride and Executive Director of DIVA Charitable Trust.
Biography
Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, is a British activist, community organizer, human-rights defender, and anti-racism campaigner. Born in Islington, London, to Ghanaian parents, she began her career in the Civil Service before moving into the trade-union movement. At the Public and Commercial Services union, she worked on political campaigns and equality.
In 2005, she co-founded UK Black Pride after a trip to Southend-on-Sea organized by members of Black Lesbians in the UK (BLUK) demonstrated the need for a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ communities of colour. She served as Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust from 2019 until the end of 2023, working to advance LGBTQ+ human rights internationally, including across the Commonwealth. She then became UK Black Pride’s first CEO and is also Executive Director of DIVA Charitable Trust.
Lady Phyll’s work connects race, gender, sexuality, and class, with an emphasis on visibility, community, and political power. She also co-edited Sista! (2018) with Rikki Beadle-Blair and John R. Gordon, bringing together writing by same-gender-loving women of African and Caribbean descent with connections to the UK.
BQW Impact
Lady Phyll’s work has helped build spaces and institutions specifically addressing the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ communities. As a Black lesbian activist and co-founder of UK Black Pride, she has advanced intersectional approaches to race, gender, sexuality, and class while expanding the visibility and political voice of Black queer communities in the United Kingdom.
Notable Works
UK Black Pride (2005)
Co-founded in 2005 to create a dedicated space celebrating and advocating for Black LGBTQ+ communities in the United Kingdom; she currently serves as CEO and Co-Founder.
Kaleidoscope Trust (2019 – 2023)
Served as Executive Director, leading the organization’s work supporting LGBTQ+ human rights across the Commonwealth; she remains a Patron.
DIVA Charitable Trust (2026)
Serves as Executive Director, supporting the organization’s work for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people.
Sista! (2018)
Co-edited an anthology featuring writing by LGBT women of African and Caribbean descent with connections to the United Kingdom.
MBE Refusal (2016)
Declined an MBE in protest of Britain’s colonial legacy and the continued persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Commonwealth countries.
Learn More
Official biography and information about her activism, advocacy, speaking, and professional work.
Official organization co-founded and led by Lady Phyll.
Biographical profile documenting her life, Ghanaian heritage, activism, and role in founding UK Black Pride.
Kaleidoscope Trust: Our Patrons
Official information about her work as Executive Director and current Patron.
Profile details
- Fields: Social Change
- Roles: Community Organizing, Rights & Justice
- Gender Identity: Woman
- LGBTQ Identity: Lesbian
- Nationality: British
- Ethnicity: African, Ghanaian
- Topics: LGBTQ+ Rights, Racial Justice