Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Dr Lady Phyll)

🖤Feeling moved and emotional seeing myself in @BritishVogue Magazine again, who would have thought - my inner child, this little dark-skinned British born African girl who was bullied and told was ugly, well well well look at me now - I am all about Black Queer Joy and fighting for our rights where we want to be free, safe and equal everywhere! This image reminds me of seeing African Aunties I admired as they exuded strength, resilience, fire in their belly & they displayed how fabulous they were at Ghanaian parties normally on a council estate. Plus I have always had Yaa Asantewaa front & centre as my ancestor’s guide me daily. I cannot thank my Ghanaian Brother #EdwardEnniful for seeing me and so many others #LoveYou Photographed by #TimWalker Styled by @KPhelan123 Hair by @alipirzadeh & @tasoshair Make-up by @beasweetbeauty & @terrybarberonbeauty Nails by @simmy_nailsandbeauty set design by @Shona.Heath & @MigsBento Production by @zoe_wassall at @greatsouthernproductions #BlackLesbian #QueerJoy #Vogue #AfricanAndProud #YaaAsantewaa British Vogue Vogue #BritishVogue

I’m leaving X. I joined this platform in 2010, back when it was a space for real conversations, real connections, and real change. Over the years, I’ve used this space to amplify Black liberation, LGBTQ+ rights, and fight for justice—loudly and unapologetically. No platform is perfect, and we’ve seen challenges across all social media spaces. But the X of today is not the platform I signed up for. It has become a breeding ground for hate, disinformation, and the silencing of marginalised voices. Black and LGBTQ+ activists have been shadowbanned, harassed, and deplatformed, while misinformation thrives. Twitter’s own files confirmed ‘visibility filtering’—a form of shadowbanning—has been used to suppress voices, with Black and LGBTQ+ activists reporting lower reach, hidden tweets, and blocked hashtags. The platform once used to drive movements is now actively working against them. The dismantling of content moderation has allowed hate speech to run rampant, while those calling out oppression are punished for speaking truth. I refuse to stay in a space that actively works against the very voices it once helped to uplift. After nearly 15 years, it’s time to move on. The fight for equity, justice, and liberation doesn’t stop—it just finds new spaces to thrive. I’m now on Bluesky, where community, truth, and resistance still have room to breathe. If you’re there, come through. Let’s keep building. #WeMove #PowerInCommunity

From BC to AD, LGBT+ people have existed. Saturday is the start of LGBT+ History Month in the UK. #LGBTplusHM25 Founded by Schools OUT, February 2005 was the 1st UK LGBT+ History Month. 20 years later it's more important than ever to share our history, herstory & theirstory.

@KennethTharp Thank you 🤩

This. 👇🏽

Yesterday, I had the honour of delivering the keynote at the FCDO’s LGBT+ Histories and Futures event. We reflected on the colonial legacies that still shape laws, policies, and lives—particularly across the 64 countries that continue to criminalise homosexuality, nearly half of which are in Africa. While progress has been made in some nations decriminalising same-sex unions and improving LGBTQ+ rights, the fight for true liberation is far from over. The FCDO holds a responsibility not only to acknowledge the harm that has been done but to actively participate in undoing it. Real inclusion demands more than words—it requires systemic change, allyship across borders, and bold action to dismantle oppressive systems. We must centre marginalised voices, amplify grassroots movements, and protect spaces like UK Black Pride that nurture belonging and connection. To our trans and non-binary siblings facing daily attacks on their rights: we see you, we value you, and we will not stop fighting with you. Solidarity is our greatest strength, and together, we can create a future where liberation is more than a dream—it’s a reality for all. 💪🏿🌍 #LGBTQAdvocacy #UKBlackPride #GlobalSolidarity #Intersectionality #RadicalLove #NoOneLeftBehind

When fascism is mentioned I remember the words of George Jackson —— ‘Understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are already dying who could be saved, that generations more will live poor butchered half-lives if you fail to act.’

The lawyer risking everything to defend LGBT rights bbc.in/4hbppSr

I was honoured to join the very first episode of the ROTA Podcast: Talking About Race, hosted by the remarkable Dr Kulvinder Nagre. This is a conversation we must keep having—Black History is more than a month, and we explored the ways Black histories are not just marginalised but often erased. We also spoke about the ongoing fight for racial equity and why performative allyship is not enough. I was joined by the brilliant Alba Kapoor from the @RunnymedeTrust, and together we unpacked the systemic inequalities that continue to harm Black and Global Majority communities across the UK. This episode is a call to action, and I’m proud to have lent my voice to this vital discussion. Listen here: lnkd.in/ef3SbKjJ

February is fast approaching, meaning it's nearly time for the 20th UK LGBT+ History month. The 2025 theme is #ActivismAndSocialChange. Throughout history LGBT+ people have been activists & helped shape & create social change, advancing society for everyone. #LGBTplusHM2025

@JoshFG Sending strength and positive energy for you, your brother & family ❤️‍🩹

A personal note for constituents. I’m back home in Calder Valley after another busy week representing our constituency in parliament. This job involves a lot of travel and time away from home, and sometimes there are exceptional circumstances that may prevent this. My brother is seriously ill and so for the next couple of weeks I will be working locally in Calder Valley rather than travelling to London, so that I can be here with him and our family. There are many aspects of an MP’s role and I will still be working every day for my constituents and for our area but will be unable to vote in parliament during this time. I hope you understand.

Rightify Ghana Congratulates Mahama, Opoku-Agyemang; Calls for Inclusive Government Today, January 7, 2025, marks a historic moment for Ghana as we welcome President John Dramani Mahama @JDMahama and Professor Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang @NJOAgyemang, the first-ever female Vice...

@CampbellX 🖤🙌🏾✨❤️

@VABVOX Happy New Year Victoria ✨🙌🏾💕✨

@MsLadyPhyll Happy New Year and yes to all of this.

First day back at work yesterday and I’m already reflecting. This year, we refuse to let uncertainty silence us. We choose action, we choose resistance, and we choose love—loudly and unapologetically. The world may try to break us, but it will never erase us. Let’s rise together, protect each other, and fight for a future where every voice is heard, and every life is valued. What will you stand for in 2025? Share your vision below and let’s inspire one another to keep building, resisting, and thriving. Action is how we rise. Love, togetherness, and solidarity is how we thrive. What will you stand for in 2025?

On Thursday, I joined my longtime friend – National Director Moud Goba, Ros, and Nina from @MicroRainbow Team – As their Patron they asked me to open their 25th safe house for LGBTQI+ refugees. I was honoured to be asked and to stand alongside a team doing such vital work. These safe houses are life-changing. They’re not just buildings – they provide LGBTQI asylum seekers with safety, support, and a chance to rebuild their lives after fleeing unimaginable challenges. I saw firsthand how donations make a real difference, from the essentials that make a house a home to the ongoing support that transforms lives. Micro Rainbow does this work quietly but powerfully. It’s not about creating moments for social media; it’s about changing real lives. Beyond housing, they tackle isolation, help people access jobs and education, and offer advocacy to ensure LGBTQI refugees are supported in rebuilding their futures. If you want to help, you can donate, purchase from their wish list, or share their mission. Every action makes a difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone has the chance to live safely. 🏳️‍🌈 #MicroRainbow #LGBTQIRefugees #SafeHousing #RealImpact #CommunitySupport

In exciting news, @MsLadyPhyll has become Pro Chancellor for the @UniNorthants 🎓 “This isn’t just my achievement; it belongs to everyone who has dared to dream” diva-magazine.com/2024/11/14/lad…

Nearly 50 and this happened today!!! I am beyond honoured and humbled and full of emotion as I stepped into the role of Pro Chancellor for Northampton University. This moment is filled with beautiful tears – pride, gratitude, and an unshakeable sense of purpose and all whilst being surrounded by my family & chosen family, it was everything and some. I look back on the journey, the hurdles, and the countless hands that lifted me up along the way. This isn’t just my achievement; it belongs to everyone who has dared to dream, to fight, and to believe in a more deliberate way we can live in this world! I am committed to using this role to inspire, to break down barriers, and to pave the way for the next generation as others have done for me. My hope is that anyone reading this, especially those who feel unseen or unheard, are struggling, I want you to know that I have not come from very much but I feel so superhuman that I want you to know you matter and that you are capable of amazing things! Let’s continue to make change, to lift each other up, and to build a future where every voice has power, let’s have the difficult discussions, especially as the world is on fire right now we’re seeing the worst crimes of humanity in real time. This is just the beginning, and I am excited for all that lies ahead. Whoop! Whoop! I am Pro Chancellor Dr ‘Lady’ Phyll. #NewBeginnings #ProChancellor #Action365 #LimitlessPossibilities @UniNorthants @UKBlackPride

Join me on this exciting journey from Cape Town as we amplify voices, build bridges, advocate for legislation, strong strategies and sustainable long-term funding and also push for a world where inclusion, freedoms and justice are not just ideals, but realities. Together, we’re unstoppable. 🌈💪🏾 #ILGAWorld #Solidarity #GlobalEquality #CapeTown @ukblackpride @ILGAWORLD @CWEquality

Meet the #InternationalPrideAwards Committee! In June, the world was invited to nominate their #LGBTIQ+ heroes. From these inspiring stories, 5 awardees were chosen by our esteemed committee of global equality champions. Learn more: internationalprideawards.org/en/2024-awards…

Nearly 70% of Gaza war dead are women and children, UN says bbc.in/4fH3RfP