Tonga Leitis' Association

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.

Tonga Leitis' Association
Tonga Leitis Association
Formation1992
FounderJoey Joleen Mataele
Websitehttps://tongaleiti.org/Web

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. "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. "This trans activist from Tonga isn't afraid to face her critics". www.amnesty.org. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  3. By (2013-08-29). "Spotlight: Tongan Leitis Association, Tonga". APCOM. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  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. "Tributes pour in for 'beloved, selfless' LGBT+ activist found murdered on beach". PinkNews - Gay news, reviews and comment from the world's most read lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans news service. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  6. "Outpouring of grief after alleged murder of leading Tongan LGBTQI activist". the Guardian. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  7. Bacchi, Umberto (2018-04-14). "After cyclone, transgender Tongans hope movie will help build acceptance". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  8. "Documentary about the push for transgender rights in Tonga to screen in NZ". 1 NEWS. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  9. "Princess opens new Tonga Leitis centre | Matangitonga". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  10. "Rei Foundation | Tonga leitis, equipped for change". reifoundation.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  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. "Activist Spotlight: Joey Joleen Mataele — GiveOut". 2021-05-27. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  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. "'Leitis in waiting' screens in Tonga | Matangitonga". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  15. "Fakaleiti in Tonga - Lonely Planet". 2021-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  16. "Tonga's transgender community fights for visibility in Pacific Kingdom". www.abc.net.au. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  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. "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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