LGBTQI Organisations Call For Inclusivity In Manifestos

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQI) community are calling on politicians to be inclusive in their manifestos as Fiji gears up for another general election.

The Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network chief executive officer Isikeli Vulavou made the call as LGBTQI people have seen a rise in divisive and hateful rhetoric against them during election campaigns.

“The LGBTQI communities are often scapegoated and attacked by politicians who are out of touch from the day-to-day realities,” he said.

“I call upon politicians to refrain from using the bodies and rights of LGBTQI people as a political tool to further marginalise and exclude them.”

He made the comments yesterday which marked International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

“LGBTQI people are not criminals. They actively contribute to community and nation building and are a significant part of our culture, families, communities and Pacific societies. They deserve the same amount of respect as anyone else,” he said.

Mr Vulavou said it was important that discriminatory laws, policies, and practices including the criminalisation of consenting same-sex relations that expose LGBTQI individuals are to be fought in the Pacific.

“We must not give up, but tackle head on the hate, stigmatization and bullying of LGBTQI individuals in the region.

“Politicians have an influential role and position of power and platform to promote measures that help societies to protect the most vulnerable, spread love, acceptance, peace and help crate a just society where everyone, irrespective of their sexual orientation, live free from prejudice.”

With the theme “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights”, Mr Vulavou said community members must continue fighting for their place in society.

They will be writing to political parties on how community members can be included in manifestos. Josefa Babitu