Internationally acclaimed British activist, Lady Phyll, found herself barred from entering the United States to participate in a WorldPride event after a recent trip to Cuba, a nation still labeled as a state sponsor of terrorism by Washington. Lady Phyll, whose full name is Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, is a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights and the founder of UK Black Pride. She reported that U.S. authorities revoked her entry approval through the ESTA system, a decision made after her Cuban sojourn.
Scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the WorldPride human rights conference in Washington from June 4 to 6, Lady Phyll was informed of her revoked entry just before her flight, preventing her from boarding. "I've called. I've written. I've pleaded," she lamented during a live broadcast. "And the response was a cold, bureaucratic 'no'."
On June 6, through a public Facebook post, Lady Phyll explained her visit to Cuba was a gesture of solidarity, learning, and love. "And just that was used to deny my entry," she wrote. "But systems attempting to silence us should know: we don't vanish when silenced. I still show up."
During her virtual appearance at WorldPride, she emphasized the crucial roles of trans individuals, migrants, and "truth-tellers," criticizing the ongoing use of colonial laws against the LGBTQIA+ community. "Our joy is sacred. Our joy is protest," she affirmed. "And symbolic allies are not enough."
Traveling to Cuba now constitutes a violation of ESTA guidelines, following President Donald Trump's reinstatement of the island on the list of state sponsors of terrorism on January 20, 2025, mere hours after resuming the presidency. This act overturned a memorandum by his predecessor, Joe Biden, who had removed Cuba from the list just a week earlier following a Catholic Church-mediated agreement for the release of political prisoners on the island.
This designation has tangible repercussions for travelers from U.S. allied nations such as the United Kingdom. Consequently, Lady Phyll's automatic entry to the U.S. was rescinded. Although she applied for a temporary visa, she was informed she couldn't enter the U.S. until September, thus missing the chance to attend the event in person.
Despite the ban, Lady Phyll addressed the WorldPride audience virtually, urging the global LGBTQ community to remain unified and resilient in the fight for justice. "Enjoy Pride, march together, march with pride, and speak with pride," she encouraged. "Be bold and brave in our struggle."
FAQ on U.S. Entry Restrictions and WorldPride Event
Why was Lady Phyll denied entry to the U.S.?
Lady Phyll was denied U.S. entry because she traveled to Cuba, which is listed as a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S., violating ESTA travel guidelines.
What was Lady Phyll's intended role at WorldPride?
Lady Phyll was scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the WorldPride human rights conference in Washington.
How did Lady Phyll participate in the WorldPride event despite the ban?
Lady Phyll participated in the WorldPride event virtually, delivering her message and encouraging the LGBTQ community to stay united.