Event to raise awareness on LGBTQI challenges

DISCRIMINATION and harassment endured by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community is still eminent in society.

Rainbow Pride Foundation (RPF) executive director Isikeli Vulavou claimed because of their sexuality or gender identity, many Fijians were separated from family and friends, harassed in the workplace or on the sporting field, abused by their neighbours or assaulted on the streets.

As the world prepares to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), advocates in Fiji are preparing to mark the event by raising awareness on the challenges faced by the LGBTQI community.

“Inequalities and exclusion also impedes sustainable human development and as such there is a need to reduce inequalities and end exclusion for all those left behind. “This means creating enabling legal and policy environments that will end all forms of stigma and discrimination and advance the rights of all people including LGBTQI people,” he said.

Mr Vulavou said IDAHOTB was an important opportunity to display the vibrancy of the LGBTQI community and the organisation’s commitment to fighting for equality and acceptance.

“This year’s IDAHOTB theme is ‘Alliances for Solidarity’, recognising the importance of solidarity and alliances, in the work to highlight the struggles, celebrate the achievements and continue to press for change, of hearts and minds towards people of gender and diverse sexual minorities.

“We will be highlighting recent RPF research, the discussions and activities shedding light on the overlapping dimensions of exclusion LGBTQI people face based not only on their sexual orientation or gender identity, but also on other identities such as their ethnicity, religion or social status.”

Yesterday the foundation marked the event in Lautoka.

 

Former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will be addressing the LGBTQI conference this evening. Picture: FT FILE

FORMER President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will be in Lautoka this evening to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB).

The event, organised by the Rainbow Pride Foundation, will highlight the struggles of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community.

Rainbow Pride Foundation executive director Isikeli Vulavou said they were proud to work with partners to celebrate the rich diversity of vibrant communities across Fiji.

“By raising visibility, we hope to continue to address prejudice and discrimination and work towards fostering an inclusive and cohesive society that is healthier for us all,” Mr Vulavou said.

“On this day, let us recommit to building a more just and inclusive world where well-being, opportunity and human dignity are for everyone, including LGBTQI people and their families.”

The event also featured a panel discussion on mental health of LGBTI individuals in Fiji and the Pacific region, as well as a film screening and performances from members of the local LGBT community.

Also in Fiji, campaigners from DIVA launched their ‘Behind The Cover’ campaign, which aims to create a community arts project focusing on discrimination surrounding the LGBT community.

Much discussion was also seen from Fiji on a number of LGBT-related topics at a national level. The hashtag #IDAHOTfiji was used by campaigners to foster a national dialogue on LGBT issues within the country, including many discussions on mental health and wellbeing. The hashtag saw thousands of comments through social media and a productive dialogue coming from many aspects of Fiji’s community.

The event will also include a panel discussion on mental health of LGBTI people in Fiji and the Pacific, as well as screenings of the Pacific UN Free & Equal videos, and performances by members of the LGBTI communities.

*In order to attend the event, please send a request of participation to Sesania Taukeve at sesania.taukeve@one.un.org by 16 May 2016.

#IDAHOTFiji #IDAHOT2016

Also in Fiji, organisation DIVA will launch “Behind the Cover” -a Community Doco Project

The on air content featured highlights from FemLINKPACIFIC’s successful IDAHOT Radio with Pictures events in May 2014 which was one of the most diverse television programmes hosted by the organization with rural women leaders including disability and LGBT activists.

Meanwhile as broadcast team members of “Rainbow Connections” is producing a series of radio documentaries addressing the theme of IDAHOT 2015.

As a number of them will be attending the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network Conference in Tonga they will also be producing a series of radio documentaries to be available for broadcast from May 17 – 22 (to be confirmed).

FemLINKPACIFIC’s next edition of Community Radio policy brief “Soundbytes” is also dedicated to diversities on the airwaves as they once again make linkages with communication rights for women of all diversities in order to define and communicate their peace, human security and development. In May 2015, they were commemorating the 11^th anniversary of FemTALK 89FM as well as the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament.

Note by the organisers

We have a couple of updates already in terms of tweets, Facebook as well as podcast updates from FemLINPACIFIC and we are currently working on a story for our community radio times which we will share further

This year’s IDAHOT Fiji coalition event was #IDAHOTFiji Unplugged, an evening of creative arts and expressions with members of Fiji’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community and their allies.

The event was organised by feminist and queer group- DIVA for Equality FIJI, Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Drodrolagi Movement, Oceania Pride, Rainbow Pride Foundation, Fiji Young Women’s Forum and Haus of Khameleon with the partnership and support of the School of Language, Arts and Media (SLAM) and USP Counselling Centre at the University of the South Pacific.

The objectives of #IDAHOTFiji Unplugged are:

-To promote and raise awareness for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

-To allow LGBTIQ people to express themselves through creative means

-To build the community spirit of LGBTIQ people, their families, friends and allies

Over 180 people attended the event (with some people standing or sitting) as members of the LGBTIQ community expressed themselves through stories, poems, spoken word, skits, songs and dance highlighting stigma, violence, discrimination and stories of survival in the community.

Most of the pieces performed on the evening were original pieces and the organisers hope to publish them in a zine. 

We have also published a timeline of social and mainstream coverage of our event and the days leading up to IDAHOT:

https://storify.com/IDAHOTFiji/idahotfiji

Fiji’s NGO Coalition on Human Rights has called for the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) youth on the occasion of May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

“Organisations such as the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and LGBTIQ networks continue to receive reports of young people who face bullying, intimidation, and other forms of psychological or physical violence because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity,” said Shamima Ali, Chair of the NGO Coalition.

“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have the right to grow up in safe and welcoming environments, where they can develop their personalities, identities and talents respectfully,” said Ali.

“The Ministry of Education’s Policy on Child Protection in Schools calls upon all schools to “respect their (children) rights, wishes, sexual orientation and feelings”, therefore there should be zero tolerance on any homophobic or transphobic bullying in educational institutions,” said Ali.

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is the commemoration of the World Health Organisation’s May 17, 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

IDAHOT is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including Fiji. The global campaign unites millions of people in support of the recognition of human rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Read more here.

IWDA’s, the International Women’s Development Agency,  partner organisation Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) has been working in solidarity with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) groups as part of their programs for many years, in recognition of the similar forms of discrimination faced by women and LGBTI people. For IDAHOT they gave an interview on the importance of IDAHOT.

It’s a significant day for us because all around the world, including Fiji, it draws the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally. And in Fiji, the day brings together lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people and all those who do not conform to majority sexual and gender norms in solidarity. It’s a day where we celebrate our diversities with pride.

You can find the full interview here.

This year’s IDAHOT was marked by a big wave of mobilisation in the South Pacific island of Fiji – where all events keyed into the 2014 focus on Freedom of Expression. FEMLink Pacific, a grass roots women’s radio station had a day of broadcasts around the day, featuring the participation of 30 rural women’s leaders, amongst many other highlights. Haus of Khameleon, Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni and Drodrolagi Movement organized a “Family Fun Day OUT!”.

FemLINK Events

The IDAHOT inspired events were built around FemTALK 89FM’s “Rainbow Connections” radio programmes, which were launched in February 2014 and are produced and hosted by SOGI activists including The Haus of Khameleon, Oceania Pride and Rainbow Women’s Network. 28 participants including rural women leaders, members from Oceania Pride, Haus of Khameleon and the Rainbow Women’s Network came together through FemLINKPACIFIC’s rural community media network and affirmed that regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion, everyone’s development priorities are the same.

The theme for their community radio 10th anniversary campaign was “Communicating Peace, Development, Diversity, Security and Freedom” which connected with the IDAHOT 2014 focus on Freedom of Expression.

The programmes covered issues ranging from Gender Equality in Disaster Risk Management and Responses, Economic security and equality in decision making, access to services, and disability rights. A youth speak out session also discussed current youth priorities, including mental health and well being.

In Fiji, IDAHOT 2014 was merged with the 10th anniversary celebrations of FemLINK – a grass roots feminist community media project.

Family Fun Day Out

Haus of Khameleon, Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni and Drodrolagi Movement held a “Family Fun Day OUT!” to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014. The call for the event said “The daily struggle that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) communities encounter in our endeavours for Equality, Diginity and Humanity would not be as substantial to the movement if it weren’t for the firm and unwavering support of our loved ones – families (chosen and biological), partners and friends.”

The Family Fun Day OUT involved activities for children, games, music, creative expressions and a candle light vigil followed by an after party.

From the Source: One of the many photos from today as we mark a belated International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia at the My Suva Park. Vinaka shukriya and thank you to all those who brought their friends and families along and made today so special and memorable! More photos coming later. ‪#‎IDAHOT‬ ‪#‎Fiji‬

In a write up of the event in The Fiji Times, organiser Kris Prasad said: “This is a belated celebration. We were supposed to have the fun day on May 17, on the actual International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia but couldn’t because of bad weather… This day really is to bring everyone together. Our previous events to mark May 17 were always on the serious side. We wanted to have a family fun day so we can enjoy fun activities with our friends and family, and especially the children.”

Media Coverage

• The Fiji Times: LGBT Community Hosts Fun Day

The events is aimed to have a fun time with family and friends while celebrating IDAHOT and LGBTIQ achievement.

The daily struggle that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) communities encounter in our endeavours for Equality, Diginity and Humanity would not be as substantial to the movement if it weren’t for the firm and unwavering support of our loved ones – families (chosen and biological), partners and friends.

Next to celebrating progress and the LGBTIQ movement in a fun environment, there will also be space to pay tribute to the lives lost due to homophobia and transphobia.

The Family Fun Day OUT will involve activities for children, games, music, creative expressions, other rainbow fabulousness and a candle light vigil followed by an after party.
Light refreshments will be provided

ALL AGES, ALL DIVERSITIES, ALL WELCOME!!!

If you like to participate in the Games please register your team of 3 in advance for the Great Gay Games to win awesome prizes and obtain special passes for the Official After Party and IDAHOT Drag Show in one of Suva’s most popular night spots.
You find more information on the event on Facebook.

Please visit the pages for more details about IDAHOT Fiji, Haus of Khameleon (Fiji) and the Drodrolagi Movement.

Photo: source FemLINKPACIFIC page

FemLINKPACIFIC works towards empowerment of women by making their voices heard. Their aim is to raise awareness about the imbalances in society and to promote gender equality, peace and security. The radio station FemTALK 89FM is the first women-led community radio station in Fiji and the South Pacific.
FemLINKPACIFIC is celebrating their 10 year anniversary in May and will launch the campaign “Communicating Peace, Development, Diversity, Security and Freedom” in the same month.

Their campaign will include:
• Launch on Thursday May 1 – press conference at the Suva Community Media Centre
• Daily broadcasts on FemTALK 89FM Suva and Labasa which will feature programmes from their archives
• Promotion and Commemoration of IDAHOT from May 17 wrapping up with a “Rainbow Connections” consultation and community radio/TV simulcast (Nadi, 20 – 23 May) featuring 30 rural women leaders
• Promotion and Commemoration of Women’s International Day for Peace and Disarmament (May 24) with rural consultations and community radio/TV simulcast in Nausori (May 28 – 30) featuring 30 rural women leaders and young women
• Their focus from June 3 – 6 in Labasa with a community radio / TV simulcast will be “Communicating our Development Priorities” enabling 30 rural women leaders and youth to provide input on upcoming processes including the SIDS Conference and the Post 2015 Agenda

For more detail about the organisation and their campaign visit their website and/or Facebook page.