COVER STORY
Queen of the protest
WE ARE LIVING THROUGH A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN LGBTQI HISTORY. THANKFULLY, WE HAVE TRAILBLAZING ACTIVIST LADY PHYLL FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS AND INSPIRING US TO MAKE CHANGE
WORDS NIC CROSARA
Photography Kofi Paintsil
Photographer’s assistant Gemma Poniente
Hair SirWeaveAlot/Neil
Make-up Louise Watts
Phyll wears
Clothes by The Kemist
Jewellery by Lucky Little Blighters and Jil Sander
“ Stand on the shoulders of those giants that came before us”
The studio is filled with an exciting buzz as we await the arrival of the one and only Dr. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll. The awardwinning activist earned the title of Lady from the community when she turned down an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2016, telling DIVA, “I don’t believe in, and actively resist, colonialism and its toxic and enduring legacy in the Commonwealth.” Phyll has always stood by her values and used her voice to speak truth to injustice, so in preparation for her arrival we’re staging our very own protest. We’ve got placards crafted and the Progress Pride flag is fluttering behind me.
As Phyll strolls in I can see the joy of those being reunited with her and the awe of those meeting her for the first time. She turns to greet everyone, all warmth and smiles, and I notice “QUEEN” printed across the back of her puffer jacket. From the word go, Phyll is showcasing the garments and jewellery she’s brought with her created by Black designers – one of the many ways she’s highlighting talented members of her communities.
I sit with Phyll as she has her make-up done by Louise Watts. I’m amazed by how calmly Louise applies undertones to Phyll’s face. Just a few minutes earlier she was gushing about how much working with Phyll means to her - and she’s not alone! Snapping myself out of the trance, I ask Phyll what she would be up to if she wasn’t doing the work she is now. “Oh, I’d be a billionaire,” she laughs. “That’s a hard one because I’m a spiritual person. I believe my steps have been set out for me.” I learn very quickly that one of Phyll’s many superpowers is her ability to listen to and uplift those around her. She returns the question and I share how I’ve always used writing as a way to express my frustrations with the world. She addresses me and Louise: