🖤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
OMG just received official notification from Lizzo’s management that she wants me to be in her next video which is about Big Black Women around the world making a difference. I’m screaming, crying & feeling on top of the world #SocialJustice#BodyPositive#BlackLivesMatter
This Black African lesbian warrior woman mother is in the September issue of @britishvogue alongside incredible changemakers. The little dark-skinned Black girl in me is really emotional jumping for joy. I can't remember seeing women like me in magazines like Vogue @misanharriman
NEWS: I’m officially a Doctor.
To receive this recognition,surrounded by my family and friends, means more than words can describe. To receive this recognition in front of my mother and my daughter is honestly too difficult for me to quantify. I’ve cried so many tears of joy!
💔 Feeling shattered and devastated about Ghana's parliament passing the anti-LGBTQ bill. This decision will have a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana. It will undoubtedly lead to increased discrimination, violence, and marginalisation of LGBTQ+ individuals, further exacerbating their struggles for acceptance and equality. It is important to advocate for the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Let's continue to support and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community during this very challenging time #LGBTQRights#HarmfulBill#GoingBackwards#SadTimes@RightifyGhana@LGBTRightsGhana
🚨 Breaking News
The Parliament of Ghana has today passed the 'Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021' aka anti-LGBTQ Bill
On this date, February 28, 2024, a motion for the Third Reading was moved and seconded - paving way for the passage of the Bill
The moment when @WhoopiGoldberg mentions @ukblackpride calls me on stage at the #WorldPride opening ceremony to acknowledge me as one of the Grand Marshall 2019, she gives the best hugs and the love was flowing. All I’m going to say is this made my whole life @NYCPride ✊🏾🏳️🌈♥️
Thank you to @TheVoiceNews for this incredible interview and acknowledgement. It's not often we see Queer Black women and LGBTQ Human Rights on front covers of our newspapers. I am humbled, I really am and I’m also excited to start work at @Kaleidoscope_T charity soon.
Today: Happy UK Black Pride ~ Celebrating 15 years, thank you to everybody who has been part of building and growing @ukblackpride over the years #PastAndPresent. Join us today at 12 to celebrate the very first online black pride, there’s so much talent ukblackpride.org.uk 💜
Toni Morrison taught us to ask the question “what can i do from where I am?” everyone can carve out something to contribute. everyone can scrutinise the seat in which they sit + use it as a source for further action. (Thank you @fridahalo) I will not be silent about the injustice
OMG what a night at the BAFTAS, I was there as part of the ‘Times Up’ movement to raise awareness of Sexism, Sexual Violence, Harassment, Assault & Discrimination. Thank you to @MaraiLarasi my Sister for life and to Andrea Riseborough an actress with so much fight in her #TimesUp
Get to know her name as well as speaking of Marsha P.Johnson: Storme DeLarverie in 1994, lesbian, woman of colour who was a key and an instrumental figurehead in the Stonewall Riots also advocating for change. 🤎🏳️🌈✊🏾💕
Storme DeLarverie in 1994, lesbian, woman of colour is believed to have thrown the 1st punch, in defence of police violence, at the Stonewall Riots-an event that lead to the 1st #Pride march. “She walked the streets of Manhattan like a gay superhero,” Photo by Michelle V. Agins
It’s official, I’ve finally started as Executive Director @Kaleidoscope_T where I have an awesome team, a fantastic Board of Trustees and amazing @CWEquality activists & allies around the world who I’ll be working alongside to fight for international LGBT+ human rights
Please join us in welcoming the wonderful @MsLadyPhyll for her first day as Executive Director! 🎉
We couldn't imagine a better person to lead us forward in our fight for international LGBT+ human rights. Watch this space! 🏳️🌈
We often hear people talk about countries across the world where it’s illegal to be gay – but what’s often missing from the conversation is the role Britain played in creating those laws.
pinknews.co.uk/2021/12/28/la…
Throughout my career, there have been few moments that have required –and resulted in – such wholesale solidarity as the LGBT+ community rising up in defence of our trans siblings. Proud to lead organisations that take a stand & speak truth to power. Trans rights are human rights
Kaleidoscope Trust stands in solidarity with our trans siblings in the UK and around the world. As such, we are withdrawing our support of #SafetoBeMe2022.
The UK Government must ensure that *all* LGBT+ people in the UK are free from violence, discrimination and persecution.
Overwhelmed, feeling emotional but absolutely in love with my communities. I am sending thank’s to my amazing team for another awesome @ukblackpride and every single person that has helped shape UKBP - past, present and into the future- this is 18 years of #Legacy I will share posts shortly with wonderful pics shortly, but for now I’m at the airport as it’s back to work so I need to catch my flight. My heart is overflowing ❤️🫶🏾❤️ #BlackPride#18Years❤️ UK Black Pride
📣 I am really excited to announce my appointment to @SkyGroup Independent Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Advisory Council, the council will support the business as it continues to broaden its focus across wider intersections of D&I including LGBTQ+ inclusion and social mobility.
I join an amazing Advisory Council with advisors I can learn from and also share my expertise with.
skygroup.sky/en-gb/article/s…
• Tunde Banjoko - founder of Making The Leap and the UK Social Mobility Awards
• Caroline Casey – Founder, The Valuable 500
• Kanya King – Founder & CEO, MOBO Organisation
• Piers Linney – Entrepreneur
• Ndidi Okezie – CEO, UK Youth
• Baroness Usha Prashar – Crossbench Member, House of Lords
#SkyMedia#AdvisoryCouncil#DiversityAndInclusivity#Intersectionality#LGBTI+ #MakingADifference#SocialMobility
We’re excited to welcome Phyll Opoku-Gyimah & Tunde Banjoko to our Diversity Advisory Council 🙌
Made up of nationally recognised diversity and inclusion leaders, the council provides independent, expert advice to help us progress our inclusion initiatives.
Read more ⬇
Happy Black Pride! We are set to make History, Herstory & TheirStory today as we set our stage. Keep the noise up at #UKBlackPride, Sun 8 July. It’s about Love, Unity, Respect, Inclusion and everyone bringing their best selves. bit.ly/UKBPJuly8#shadesofthediaspora 🏳️🌈
“I have a duty to speak the truth as I see it and share not just my triumphs, not just the things that felt good, but the pain, the intense, often unmitigated pain. It is important to share how I know survival is survival and not just a walk throught the rain.” Audre Lorde ✊🏾
Proud to still be standing 15 years after being told to "f-off" for wanting to create #UKBLACKPRIDE ✊🏾Celebrating our 15th anniversary & working with the team to pull together this digital celebration on Sunday
Watch UK Black Pride at ukblackpride.org.uk
16.08.20 #comehome
Just over a month ago, I wrote a letter in response to the closure of Ghana’s LGBTQIA+ Centre in Accra for British Vogue. The situation for queer Ghanaians has continued to deteriorate, and it’s imperative that the global LGBTQ community maintains momentum in our support.
I’m happy to share that I have officially started a new position as Chief Executive Officer at @ukblackpride! 🏳️🌈 I am truly excited and I can't wait to share our strategic direction, commitments, intentions and meaningful collaborations, however be patient though, this is not a race or sprint - it is about our lives! I also have to acknowledge my first meeting of the year with the amazing #MoudGoba Chair of UK Black Pride board of trustees. 2024 is going to be great, thank you, Moud for your consistent and continued support!
UK Black Pride #HappyNewYear#ChosenFamily#BlackGirlMagic #2024 #CEO
I’m sending LOVE to every LGBTQ+ Sibling in Ghana as I am deeply concerned about the anti-LGBT bill that is currently being proposed in Ghana. This bill seeks to criminalise and further marginalise the LGBTQ+ community in the country. As an advocate for equality and human rights, it is disheartening to see such discriminatory legislation being considered.
The bill not only violates the basic principles of human rights, but it also goes against the progress that has been made in promoting inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community globally. It is crucial to recognize and respect the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
It is important to understand that being LGBTQ+ is not a choice, but an inherent aspect of a person's identity. Punishing individuals for their sexual orientation or gender identity is not only unjust but also goes against the principles of freedom and equality.
Instead of promoting discrimination and hate, we should focus on fostering a society that embraces diversity and promotes understanding and acceptance. It is essential for Ghana, like any other nation, to protect the rights of all its citizens and ensure their safety and well-being.
I stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana and urge the government to reconsider this bill. Let us strive for a society that celebrates diversity, respects human rights, and fosters a culture of inclusion and acceptance for all. @RightifyGhana@LGBTRightsGhana@ukblackpride@Kaleidoscope_T@MicroRainbow@IESOGI@ILGAWORLD@CWEquality
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has revealed that the anti-LGBTQ Bill is expected to be passed by Friday February 16
🔹Parliament will veto (2/3 majority) President Akufo-Addo to get the Bill into law if he doesn't assent to it, as rumours say he won't
Yesterday was a really tough day for me, however, I’m not going to let yesterday take up my today. Just reminding myself to take care of me, be patient with me and acknowledge I will always be me even when people try and take my kindness for weakness. Have a good day and please look after yourself as there’s only one you! 💖
Met Diane Abbot & we had such brilliant conversation about the world as we see it today, black women & racism, Grenfell, sexism & misogyny, poverty & class and a little giggle about A.Nother. Don't underestimate what this woman has had to go through and she's still standing!
Many emotions about @ukblackpride being 15 years, it’s not been easy. We’ll be hosting a day of celebrations live streamed, including performances, live DJ sessions & speakers; alongside a series of virtual rooms hosted by our partners within the community ukblackpride.org.uk
SO thrilled to finally be able to announce this!
The ultimate goal of Global Black Pride is to centre, uplift and celebrate LGBTQ Black people and the cultures and issues that are important to us all.
You’re allowed to date yourself, fancy yourself, have selfie moments of yourself, talk to yourself about yourself and love yourself without apology. I thought I would share this because I am really feeling myself🤎💕🤎 #AgeingWell#African#Melanin#Queerness#Queening#LovingMe
PROUD: To anyone who ever wrote me off, ignored me, talked ill of me, purposely tried to sabotage, those that oppressed & discriminated, I just want to say it’s okay as I’m doing great, I humbly accept my honorary doctorate and I wish you well🤍🤍 @LSBU#BlackQueerWomen#Life
Black History Month is about acknowledging the icons and titans who inspire us to keep moving forward, I salute our past, work in the present & aim to build a better future. Thank you @Havas for spotlighting me & others @stormzy@akalamusic@HackneyAbbott@BlackGirlFest#Honoured
Remembering my @gaytimesmag cover shoot. I just love this picture of sheer African happiness, being proud and unapologetically black, a lesbian woman, feeling my ancestors as they speak/work through me on a daily basis! ✊🏾🏳️🌈 🖤💕Photo by @kofipaintsil Styled by @hausofdarkwah
What on earth did I just watch: Former Met Police Chief superintendent, blames single parenting, Black women and those of West African heritage for violence and abuse Black people suffer at the hands of the police, this interview is dangerous & damaging #BLM#Racism
The past couple of weeks have been difficult and as a proud African Ghanaian Queer women, I am encouraging all Ghanaian's to live up to our historical and cultural integrity. All LGBTQ+ people deserve safety, love and a life free from violence. #GhanaSupportsEquality
I never get tired of watching Jane Elliott and the work she has done as an anti racist over the years. Stand up. Stand up for us. The onus is not on the oppressed to alleviate your guilt or to demonstrate your path towards being a better ally. Stand up.
📣 Important Announcement: As you all know, organising @ukblackpride is a big effort, we are 18 years old this year and we each decision made has our community’s safety in mind. Some of those decisions are small, some of them are big — they’re each important. We’ve made a big safety decision: we’ve decided to bring our 2023 event forward this year, after learning that the safety of our communities could be compromised by a football match. Please like, share, tell your networks of the date change.
‼️UK Black Pride will now take place on Saturday, 19 August at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Please spread the word ‼️
📣 Protest Alert ‼️
We’ve spoken with our Queer Ghanaian Siblings and they want to make noise and place some pressure. So join us, at protest in London, UK, against Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ Bill passed on 28/02/2024 by the Parliament of Ghana, now awaiting the assent of the President Nana #NAkufoAddo
Many of you are asking what can you do, come out, show your solidarity, support and play your part in not being silent! ✊🏾 (also please share)
#GhanaianQueerLivesMatter#Protest#HumanRights#FreedomEqualityJustice#RightToLiveFreely@GhanaLGBTuk@RightifyGhana @smajoritygh @LGBTRightsGhana
📌 Date: 06/03/2024
📍Venue: 13 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PN (Near Hyde Park Corner)
Wow thank you so much for the support for @ukblackpride this cover means so much to me! When we don’t see ourselves on front covers and in mainstream media, we feel erased, hopefully this shows Black/Brown LGBTQ+ people that we must occupy, resist, celebrate & be our best selves!
Attended the 2nd London Protest organised by @GhanaLGBTuk at Ghana Embassy due to the far-reaching anti-LGBTQ bill. It was good to see many people & thank you for allowing me to lead a moment of silence for our siblings 🇬🇭🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
#QueerGhanaianLivesMatter#KillTheBill#Solidarity
When a man is confident & secure enough to openly love a trans woman; this is the bullying and harassment he gets. When trans attracted men kill us; it’s out of fear that this will happen to them if they are outed. Reese didn’t kill his girlfriend; he killed himself instead. #RIP
I have so many emotions right now so I want to say a massive thank you for making @ukblackpride 2019 our biggest event yet. I saw over 10,000 people gathered in Haggerston Park & my amazing team who make it all happen. #WhenWeRise#ByUsAndForUsukblackpride.org.uk/blog/ukb…
My heart breaks for #CandiceBrathwaite and dark-skinned Black women who are not only erased, but used and then discarded. Cast aside. Rejected. Ignored. This happens every single day of our lives and I’m tired. We are tired. Rochelle, stand by your sisters and do the right thing.
My 1st interview in 2021 with @MikeSegalov@ObsMagazine, it is not often I get personal but we must act & speak about race, class, education, trans-rights, enslavement, empire, identities, communities, Blackness, LGBTQ, life’s lessons & more theguardian.com/lifeandstyle…@ukblackpride
Absolutely loving this painting of me by the wonderful @DeniseHeard ‘NOW’ to find a special place in my house for it, thank so much you beautiful talented woman ❤️❤️❤️
She is the wife of my sister-friend @PariDhillon 🤍
Mike, 72, and Phil, 76, met in church 49 years ago.
“I wore my hot red pants,” Mike, left, said. Then he laughed. Mischievously. “They worked every time.”
“They did,” Phil said. “And I’m glad I was there to calm you down.”
Michael + Phillip, Detroit, MI, 7/11/19
Word for today: “If you don’t heal what hurt you, you’ll bleed on people who didn’t cut you...” ♥️
Please take time with yourself, be patient and be good to you! ♥️
This was empowering but now the real talk is how we get intersectional and hear all women’s voices, this is not just for the few, it’s about the many! Thank you @womensmarchlon for asking me to speak #Solidaritynitter.app/womensmarchlon/status/…
Today's #GoogleDoodle celebrates pioneering Black LGBTQ+ rights activist, Marsha P. Johnson. on August 24th, 1945. Her middle initial—“P.”—allegedly stood for her response to those who questioned her gender: “Pay It No Mind.” Thank you @Google
Read more google.com/doodles/celebrati…
The power of Olive Morris. Olive a community activist in South London in the 1970s, who died of cancer aged 27 in 1979. Organising in the black community & feminist activism, she left behind an extraordinary legacy of local activism.
fawcettsociety.org.uk/blog/b…@fawcettsociety
Made my flight, heading to New York for World Pride 2019 as I’m going to be a Grand Marshall: I was special and picked out for extra security check but I’m to excited to be frustrated. Bye London - Hello NYC ♥️🏳️🌈✊🏾 @nycpride#LGBTIQ@worldpride2019@ukblackpride#Stonewall50
Kimberlé Crenshaw: Black Woman to Black Woman; she felt me, she knew me, she held me, she understood the pain within me, she laughed with me, she acknowledged me, she shared her knowledge with me, told me to keep going because she is with me, she was my ‘Self-Care’ in that moment
Picked up my copy of Time Out at the station as I was en route to work! Thank you Londoners & TimeOut for listing my name among so many inspirational women. This has really put a pep-in-my-step! I’m honoured 🖤❤️🖤 #SomeonesHeroine#RecognisingWomen#BeingVisibleAndActive
📣 Exciting news! UK Black Pride will be back and better than ever! August 2024, stay tuned for more details coming soon. Let’s come together for equality, equity, freedom, love, and intersectional pride, community, safety, bravery, partnership, collaboration & liberation ✊🏾🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🖤✨🫶🏾 #UKBlackPride#Pride2024#StayTuned#People@ukblackpride
Newsflash: UK Black Pride 2019 Sunday 7th July at Haggerston Park. A safe space where we celebrate our best selves! You cannot afford to miss the excitement which continues to put people at the heart of our communities @ukblackpride#LGBTQI#POC#BAME 🏳️🌈✊🏾bit.ly/UKBP2019
I'm absolutely over the moon and honoured to have won the European Diversity Awards for 'Campaigner of the Year'. This award is for all who have paved the way for me to be able to amplify my voice and not be afraid to stand up & be counted @diversityaward@LindaRiley8
I'm really very honoured to be one of the faces of #ProudNation, a project led by the LGBTQ+ community that challenges the stereotypes and lack of diversity in advertising through a representative photographic series.
Photographer: @thejordanrossi@ModsOfDiversity@stonewalluk
It was an honour & privilege to participate in Montego Bay Pride. Through the hate & name calling by the clergy as they see us as an abomination, I thank our brave & fearless Jamaican siblings, who know the struggle is real but yet still celebrate with pride! Solidarity & one♥️
Driving with the roof off and just enjoying life. The beach was so nice yesterday, the sun kissed my skin and all I can think about is how much I needed this 🤎🤎🤎 #FeelingMyself#SelfCare#ByTheCoast#NoMakeUp
OMG I’m super honoured to be among this list of trailblazing women, I can’t believe this, there are many women who have come before & allowed me to create & carve out space. WoW 9 Women Who Changed The World For LGBTQ+ People @ukblackpriderefinery29.com/en-ca/lgbtq-a…@Refinery29UK
Pride is a year-long commitment, not just a month-long celebration. As June comes to an end, we move on to our next commemoration: the annual recession of interest in our global community.
Meet ‘BeBé BlackPride Opoku-Gyimah’ you can call her BeBé for short. She is a new addition to my family. If you wish to get her anything, she accepts things that bling as she’s a little bougie 🤎🌈🤩 And my timeline will not be filled with puppy pics 🙈 #PuppyLove#BlackPugs
TW for Black Womxn: I’ve been putting on a brave face whilst dealing with subtle forms of racism wrapped in smiles, micro-aggressions & snipes to make me feel small, trying to erase my voice and undo or claim my work, the misogyny/misogynoir is real in this patriarchal world.
#UKBP2018: Thank you to all our volunteers, stallholders, performers/speakers, photographers, media, sponsor, attendees & of course the @ukblackpride Team for making this years event special by centring black and brown LGBTQ+ people at the heart of our community #FeelingEmotional
Happy Birthday to me, it’s all about until it’s not about me!! So grateful to see another year, have good health, be able to travel and to have received the most beautiful messages of love and kindness! Thank you ♥️♥️♥️
#BirthdayMoments#SomewhereHot#LovingMyself#AnotherYear
Proud of my friends and fellow Ghanaian Sisters - Wedding photos of African lesbians in traditional Ghanaian cloth cause uproar - Face2Face Africa. Ghana what are you worried about poverty or LGBT+🏳️🌈 face2faceafrica.com/article/…@ukblackpride
Ghana Pastor, Preacher, Priest: Please let my LGBTQI people survive, thrive, live, laugh and live. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired, we are your daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, cousins - we are human beings that deserve respect! I stand with @LGBTRightsGhana ✊🏾
Solidarity to @Rhammified and other Black & PoC Queer people❤️ The events of the last few days have revealed to anyone paying attention that Pride in London’s problems run deep. ‘Change is not easy, but one must have a desire to change in the first place’ bit.ly/3r6jjZ8