Pacific Islands

First Samoan fa’afafine at Massey University to receive a PhD in Media Studies

First Samoan fa’afafine at Massey University to receive a PhD in Media Studies

On June 24, Angie Enoka will become the first Samoan fa’afafine to graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies at Massey University. Ms Enoka hopes that her academic success will encourage other fa’afafine to look at education as a career option and hopes more Pacific people take on postgraduate studies. “When you grow […]

IDAHOT: NGO Coalition on Human Rights calls for Protection of LGBTQI Rights

IDAHOT: NGO Coalition on Human Rights calls for Protection of LGBTQI Rights

17 May 2020 marked the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The day is marked worldwide to raise awareness on the discrimination and human rights violations faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community. In line with this year’s theme, the Fiji NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) stands in […]

Cook Island’s First Ever Pride Day Postponed Indefinitely

Cook Island’s First Ever Pride Day Postponed Indefinitely

This month’s Cook Islands Pride Day will not go ahead as a precautionary measure to manage the risk of coronavirus transmission. While there are no cases of COVID-19 in the Cook Islands, organisers of the event have made a decision to put their plans on hold indefinitely. “I’m sure people will understand the reasons for […]

RNZ: Strong Pacific voice at pride march

An estimated 7000 people took part in the Auckland pride march on Saturday 8th Feb including a strong Pacific presence. Now called OurMarch, the event focussed on inequities still experienced in the rainbow community around New Zealand and the Pacific. Read the full story on RNZ

Being Pacific, Artist and Queer: Pati Solomona Tyrell of FAFSWAG

Being Pacific, Artist and Queer: Pati Solomona Tyrell of FAFSWAG

Listen to the Radio NZ podcast on Standing Room Only where they are talking to the people behind the shortlisted exhibitions for the Walters, New Zealand’s top art prize – a glimpse into some of the most exciting artwork being created in the country. Pati Solomona Tyrell is known as a cofounder of art collective […]

Leitis in Waiting – Tonga

Leitis in Waiting is the story of Joey Mataele and the Tonga leitis, an intrepid group of native transgender women fighting a rising tide of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in their South Pacific Kingdom. The film follows Joey, a devout Catholic of noble descent, as she organizes an exuberant beauty pageant presided over by a […]

Stuff: Transgender Pasifika Women Tells Her Story

Stuff: Transgender Pasifika Women Tells Her Story

Torranice Campel of South Auckland, an Oranga Tamariki social worker, provides support to young transgender women and is a proud advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. She tells Stuff reporter Marlene Singh her story of when she was six-year-old boy that she was not born in the right body. “At school, I was fascinated by this […]

Fiji’s Historic Pride March

Fiji’s Historic Pride March

Fiji made history as the first country in Pacific Islands (excluding Hawaii & New Zealand) to host an LGBTI Pride parade. The Pride March coincided with this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBT). Rainbow Pride Foundation’s executive director, Isikeli Vulavou said it was a ‘breakthrough’ to get permission to hold the parade. […]

Papua New Guinea – HIV Drug Shortage

Papua New Guinea – HIV Drug Shortage

Radio NZ has reported that “The National AIDS Council of Papua New Guinea says budget cuts are behind a critical shortage of anti-retroviral drugs in the country and there is no immediate solution to the problem.” This was earlier in the month reported in the Papua New Guinea Times where they reported that “It has […]

People Living with HIV in Pacific Islands Face Stigma and Discrimination

People Living with HIV in Pacific Islands Face Stigma and Discrimination

A new study has found that people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Pacific islands are experiencing high levels of stigma and discrimination, resulting in social exclusion and hindering access to basic social services including health care. The People Living with HIV Stigma Index Study, conducted by the Fiji Network of People […]