From 25 February to 3 March, a Parliamentary Delegation from Pacific Island countries participated in the 2023 Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference activities. Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, MP (Fiji), Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Magele Sekati Fiaui, MP (Samoa), Hon. Silas Tausinga, MP (Solomon Islands), and Hon. Tina Pupuke-Browne, MP (Cook Islands), Leader of the Opposition, engaged with Pacific LGBTI+ activists, governments, human rights experts, parliamentarians from the US and Australia, religious leaders and other stakeholders. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Jennifer McCarthy, PGA Deputy Secretary-General, and Mr. Aron Le Fèvre, PGA Consultant.
In the framework of PGA’s Global Campaign against Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI Campaign), PGA organized in the margins of Sydney World Pride, a Talanoa Dialogue on Human Rights and Inclusion for Pacific Parliamentarians and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI+) activists. This event brought together voices from all around the world, particularly Asian and Pacific LGBTI+ activists, and provided a safe space for Pacific legislators to learn about inclusion of LGBTI+ people within the human rights framework. The dialogue also provided an opportunity to present the revised and updated publication , Advancing the Human Rights and Inclusion of LGBTI People: a Handbook for Parliamentarians, as a tool to strengthen the work of legislators toward achieving sustainable, peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
The Talanoa Dialogue, moderated by Ms. Louisa Wall, Ambassador of New Zealand for Gender Equality and LGBTQI+ Rights, provided a safe space for legislators – some of whom discussed SOGI issues for the first time – to improve their knowledge and understanding on their role in guaranteeing equality and inclusion of LGBTI+ people in their countries, in line with international human rights law and standards. Ambassador Wall commented on the importance of having Pacific legislators in the room as a highly symbolic and important factor when consulting with activists from countries where equality before the law is not yet a reality. during Consultations with relevant stakeholders should ensure that legislators are present and engaged, as they are primary actors responsible for establishing the legal framework.
An activist from Kiribati pointed out the need to increase peer-to-peer opportunities among legislators from the Pacific region to share with their colleagues in other countries, their experience and advice on how to initiate or further engage with LGBTI+ communities.
During the Talanoa Dialogue and Pacific Pre-Conference, activists and other stakeholders highlighted the nexus between LGBTI+ issues and other pressing topics such as the climate crisis, the degradation of the environment, health, and education. No topic can be dealt with in a silo or by one group of people alone. Inclusion of LGBTI+ people means that all actors domestically, regionally and internationally work together on concerted actions to effect real change.
In that sense, Ymania Brown, Equality Australia and Fa’afafine Association, insisted on the idea that efficient advocacy should include solutions that intersect with the environment and climate crisis. If in a decade the Ocean submerges a Pacific Island, advocacy on the decriminalization of same-sex sexual conduct, will be in vain. Legislators, regardless of their personal views, should ally with the LGBTI+ communities, as members of their constituencies.
NGO DIVA (Fiji), noted the silo work of activists on issues concerning land, ocean, air pollution, without the participation of queer people, prevent any advancement for the welfare of all people. Problems have to be dealt with together and an opportunity for meaningful engagement would be to ensure participation of gender-diverse, non-binary people at the UN Water Conference and the Pacific Islands Forum (taking place in the Cook Islands this year). Climate mobility is fundamental for Pacific Islands and immigration, including obtaining a passport that reflects their gender identity/expression, which is already an issue for LGBTI+ persons.
Inclusion does not come about in a vacuum, it takes time and a change in mentalities. Indeed, Te Tiare Association (Cook Islands), emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment through dialogue. One of the biggest issues regarding LGBTI+ inclusion is the lack or insufficient materials specific to the community in the educational system. Similarly, in the health area, if available funding is only dedicated to AIDS/HIV prevention, that further stigmatizes the community. Government officials and legislators should address health priorities of LGBTI+ people and translate their needs into actionable laws and policies.
One of the obstacles preventing progress on the issue is the opposition of religious communities and the messaging about the dangers of marriage equality. The real concern in the Pacific region is not marriage equality, but fair treatment as a human being. Ken Moala, Co-Chair, ILGA Oceania (New Zealand), who is also a chaplain hopes to engage with religious organizations to come together for an honest dialogue. Ambassador Wall welcomed the idea of churches starting the conversation on equality in their communities.
Hon. Tina Pupuke-Browne, MP (Cook Islands), Leader of the Opposition, spoke from experience and affirmed the need for human rights training of legislators. Hon. Browne, MP noted that, if a legislator speaks about human rights, it comes with a political cost as they may lose election. Relevant actors should work toward removing the stigma attached to human rights. To achieve this goal, Isikeli Vulavou, Pacific Sexual & Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN Fiji), suggested that LGBTI+ issues were included in portfolios within Ministries (women/gender and health for example). This would be a crucial step, especially when legislators are discussing budgetary allocation to Ministries.
Hon. Browne shared that in her country, Cook Islands, the constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. One of the problems in early consultations on the topic was that, because of lack of funds, the government only consulted with two select committees, which did not yield any of the expected results. The Church and culture are used as an excuse when decision makers do not wish to move forward on an issue, which makes the need for regular discussions with the government even more pressing. Cook Islands recently decriminalized homosexuality, which is a very positive step for the country and the region.
Rev. James Baghwan, Pacific Conference of Churches, offered a final prayer on continuing to weave together a mat that is big enough for everyone.
Next Steps
A number of legislative actions are in the pipeline in the region and recommendations of the UN Periodic Review could yield impact on governments. Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, MP, Deputy Speaker of Parliament (Fiji), shared that Rainbow Pride Foundation (Fiji) has adapted the PGA/ UNDP LGBTI Inclusion Handbook for Parliamentarians of Fiji, which will be launched in Parliament in the near future.
PGA will continue sensitizing and empowering legislators to ensure inclusion of LGBTI+ persons in Pacific Islands.
