Tonga_Leitis'_Association

Tonga Leitis' Association

Tonga Leitis' Association

LGBT rights organization in Tonga

The Tonga Leitis' Association (TLA) is an advocacy and education organisation in Tonga, and is the only organisation in the country dedicated to LGBTQ+ issues.

Quick Facts Formation, Founder ...

Background

Joey Joleen Mataele in traditional dress

The Tonga Leitis Association (TLA) was founded in 1992 by Joey Joleen Mataele.[1][2][3] Its first president was Papiloa Foliaki.[1] It was initially founded in order to support Tonga's historic fakaleiti community.[2] It is a member of the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN).[4] It is the sole LGBTQ+ rights organisation in Tonga.[5] In 2021 its president, Polikalepo Kefu, was murdered.[6]

Campaigns

In 2016 the association campaigned for greater legal protections for LGBTQ+ Tongans; in Tonga sodomy and transvestism are punishable by up to ten years in prison.[6] Tonga's current homophobic attitudes are a product of British colonialism, despite the fact that Tonga has a rich history of transgender people, especially women, known as fakaleiti.[5][2][7]

Community provision

The TLA runs a community centre and safehouse, which provides a safe space for the community to use, as well as raising awareness on LGBTQ+ issues.[3][8] The association runs a safe house, called ‘Ofa he Paea’, for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Tonga who have been forced away from their homes by homophobia and transphobia.[2][3] The centre was opened in 2013 by HRH Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita;[9] it was named by her daughter the Hon. Salote Lupepau’u Tuita.[3] It was damaged by Cyclone Gita in 2018 and had to be rebuilt.[7] The centre is the first of its kind in the Pacific.[10]

HIV/AIDS

This first AIDS patient in Tonga was diagnosed in 1979 and they were a member of Tonga's fakaleiti community.[11] As of 2020, the TLA held quarterly HIV testing events across the whole country.[12]

Climate crisis

In 2021 the TLA was awarded a grant by the UK-based charity GiveOut, in order to establish a training programme for those who run emergency shelters, to raise awareness of specific needs members of the LGBTQ+ community.[13] It also campaigns for LGBTQ+ representatives in discussions about climate change.[14]

Culture

The TLA runs the Miss Galaxy Pageant beauty pageant, which raises awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in Tonga and has become a popular event.[15] It has been closely involved with the HIV crisis in Tonga, advocating for better healthcare provision by the Tongan government.[3]

In 2018 the TLA collaborated on a one-hour documentary called Leitis in Waiting.[14][16] It was screened at the Nuku'alofa Film Festival.[14] Its premier was at the Festival of Commonwealth Film in London.[17]

In October 2021 association president Taufu’i ‘Ae Valu Naufahu was awarded a Commonwealth Points of Light award for his exceptional voluntary service supporting the LGBTQI community.[18]

References

  1. [1]
    "2020 Community Organisation-Tonga Leitis' Association (Tonga) - YouTube". YouTube. 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  2. [2]
    "This trans activist from Tonga isn't afraid to face her critics". www.amnesty.org. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  3. [3]
    By (2013-08-29). "Spotlight: Tongan Leitis Association, Tonga". APCOM. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  4. [4]
    "Solidarity Statement for the passing of Polikalepo Kefu, President of Tonga Leitis Association – Asia Pacific Transgender Network". weareaptn.org. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  5. [5]
    "Tributes pour in for 'beloved, selfless' LGBT+ activist found murdered on beach". PinkNews. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  6. [6]
    "Outpouring of grief after alleged murder of leading Tongan LGBTQI activist". The Guardian. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  7. [7]
    Bacchi, Umberto (2018-04-14). "After cyclone, transgender Tongans hope movie will help build acceptance". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  8. [8]
    "Documentary about the push for transgender rights in Tonga to screen in NZ". 1 NEWS. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  9. [9]
    "Princess opens new Tonga Leitis centre | Matangitonga". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  10. [10]
    "Rei Foundation | Tonga leitis, equipped for change". reifoundation.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  11. [11]
    Pacific, UNDP in Asia and the (2019-09-10). "Miss Galaxy Pageant blazes a trail for acceptance of trans women in Tonga". Medium. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  12. [12]
    "Activist Spotlight: Joey Joleen Mataele — GiveOut". 2021-05-27. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  13. [13]
    "UK charity launches world's first LGBT+ climate fund". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  14. [14]
    "'Leitis in waiting' screens in Tonga | Matangitonga". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  15. [15]
    "Fakaleiti in Tonga - Lonely Planet". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  16. [16]
    "Tonga's transgender community fights for visibility in Pacific Kingdom". www.abc.net.au. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  17. [17]
    "Leitis in Waiting wins audience award in London | Matangitonga". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  18. [18]
    "Queen Elizabeth II recognises Tongan activist with Commonwealth award". Matangi Tonga. 18 October 2021. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
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