British political and LGBTQ rights advocate Phyll Opoku-Gyimah reported being denied entry into the United States following her recent trip to Cuba.
Opoku-Gyimah, known as Mrs. Phyll, was scheduled to deliver opening remarks at the World Pride Human Rights Conference in Washington, set for June 4-6.
During a live stream on Wednesday, she disclosed that US officials had canceled her visa waiver under the ESTA system.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that her travel to Cuba, a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by the US since 2021, was the reason behind the ESTA revocation. This designation was temporarily lifted under former President Biden but reinstated by President Trump in January.
Opoku-Gyimah mentioned she learned of her revoked travel approval just days before her planned flight to the US for WorldPride. She sought a temporary visa but was informed that the earliest she could enter would be in September.
“I called. I wrote. I pleaded,” said Opoku-Gyimah, who co-founded Black Pride UK. “And the response was a cold, bureaucratic ‘no’.”
DHS has yet to provide a comment on the situation.
In her virtual address, Opoku-Gyimah stressed the importance of recognizing the diversity within the LGBTQ community and encouraged WorldPride participants to celebrate their varied identities.
“We enjoy our pride, walk together, walk proudly, talk proudly,” she shared. “Let’s be bold and brave in our fight for justice.”
The UK had issued a travel warning in March to its citizens regarding the US, stating that they would enforce rules strictly and could face arrest or detention for violations.
Denmark and Finland have also released travel advisories aimed at trans visitors, citing policies from the Trump administration that have impacted trans rights.
