Calls for Tigers to apologise

An Auckland transgender activist and artist is calling for an apology from the NRL team Wests Tigers after “unsafe” social media posts by two of its players.

Self-proclaimed mother of the voguing group House of Iman Jaycee Tanuvasa featured on the cover of the Herald’s Viva magazine along with fellow members including Antony Sua to celebrate Auckland Pride Festival last month. It was seen as a significant moment for the queer Pasifika community.

But the cover image was edited by Tigers player Shawn Blore, replacing Sua’s face with that of Michael Chee Kam, and shared to their Instagram Stories with laughing emojis.

Tanuvasa wants to see a public apology from the team, and for the wider NRL community to clarify what it is doing to support the queer community.

“I’m not trying to ridicule these boys’ careers, I just want some ownership of their behaviour and for them to understand that this is not okay.

“Any mockery of our authentic lives will continue to add to the violence of us in our daily lives.”

Tanuvasa said House of Iman has been ridiculed, called derogatory terms, or even had items thrown at them. The Wests Tigers are role models, so their social media presence is very important, she said.

Viva fashion and creative director Dan Ahwa said he was disappointed with the posts.

“To see the way that they were dismissed on social media by those NRL players is quite heartbreaking.”

Ahwa said the cover story was a significant step for House of Iman members — to have visibility and be recognised not just as performers but as people.

The Wests Tigers have been approached for comment.