Phyll Opoku-Gyimah has declined an MBE in the
Queen's New Year Honours List, exclusively telling DIVA she wanted
to stand by her "principles and values"...
Opoku-Gyimah, founder of UK Black Pride, Rainbow List judge and Stonewall trustee, said that while she was "honoured and grateful" for the recognition, she felt it was important to say "no thank you".
She told DIVA: "As a trade unionist, a working class girl, and an out black African lesbian, I want to stand by my principles and values.
"If you're a member of a minority - or multiple minorities - it's important to be visible as a role model for others [and] for your successes to be seen.
"An honour is a very public statement that the establishment has decided that you, and what you do, are valued by the wider society. You've worked hard, and they've actually noticed. Maybe you've fought for workers' rights, or LGBTQI rights, in defiance of those in power, and yet here they are, offering you an award, letting you in. It may help you raise the profile of future work you do. All of these are good reasons for accepting one, and yet, Member of the British Empire?"
She went on: "I don't believe in empire. I don't believe in, and actively resist, colonialism and its toxic and enduring legacy in the Commonwealth, where - among many other injustices - LGBTQI people are still being persecuted, tortured and even killed because of sodomy laws, including in Ghana, where I am from, that were put in place by British imperialists.
"I'm honoured and grateful, but I have to say no thank you." ...
Opoku-Gyimah, founder of UK Black Pride, Rainbow List judge and Stonewall trustee, said that while she was "honoured and grateful" for the recognition, she felt it was important to say "no thank you".
She told DIVA: "As a trade unionist, a working class girl, and an out black African lesbian, I want to stand by my principles and values.
"If you're a member of a minority - or multiple minorities - it's important to be visible as a role model for others [and] for your successes to be seen.
"An honour is a very public statement that the establishment has decided that you, and what you do, are valued by the wider society. You've worked hard, and they've actually noticed. Maybe you've fought for workers' rights, or LGBTQI rights, in defiance of those in power, and yet here they are, offering you an award, letting you in. It may help you raise the profile of future work you do. All of these are good reasons for accepting one, and yet, Member of the British Empire?"
She went on: "I don't believe in empire. I don't believe in, and actively resist, colonialism and its toxic and enduring legacy in the Commonwealth, where - among many other injustices - LGBTQI people are still being persecuted, tortured and even killed because of sodomy laws, including in Ghana, where I am from, that were put in place by British imperialists.
"I'm honoured and grateful, but I have to say no thank you." ...
Diva magazine.
Great stuff.
For the record, Alan Bennett and David Hockney have both turned down knighthoods.
Great stuff.
For the record, Alan Bennett and David Hockney have both turned down knighthoods.
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