TONGA LEITIS’ ASSOCIATION - IN THE SYSTEM(TONGAN SOCIETY) BUT OUT OF SIGHT

OPPORTUNITIES

GEOGRAPHIC MAP 0F THE PACIFIC

BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN• 1987 – Edwardina Sele(Transgender) – First HIV/AIDS • 1992 - Approach HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita - Princess

Lupepau’u Tuita.• 1992 – Tonga Leitis Association – Formally Launched with 5

members.• 1992 – Registered as a NGO• 1993 – Miss Galaxy Started • 18 years – No funding , Proposal Writing• 2009 – First NAC Proposal – PRHP – HIV/STI Retreat & Test• 2010 - Launched strategic plan – by Her Highness Princess

Frederica Tuita• 178 Registered members 4 TLA Branches NZ, and USA• Friday, 24th May, 2013 – Opening of TLA Dropin Centre

MSM/TG/LGBTIQ TERM All Tongan Transgenders are negatively

affected by gender norms In Tonga the terms LGBTIQ, MSM and

Transgender are increasingly used, mainly in regional and international context especially when we deal with donors

Term we use is “LEITI” Originally “Fakaleiti”

TVT PROJECT

THANK YOU "We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are key. But it begins with openness, the courage to speak out. Schools should teach respect and understanding. Religious leaders should preach tolerance. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change, from securing legal protections to ensuring access to health care and rights to all

Malo 'aupito and God Bless