Leitis in Waiting is a must see for those who desire a film that shows the effects of culture change and highlights the impact of transformative justice.
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Lepolo Taunisila of the Pacific Community's Regional Rights Resource Team speaks eloquently about human rights in response to an evangelical pastor's comments at the Tonga Leitis Association's national consultation on inclusion and equality for all in the Kingdom.
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A feature documentary being screened in Suva hopes to change the mindset of the public about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) community.
Titled ‘Leitis in Waiting’ by Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson and Kumu Hina Wong-Kalu, the 71-minute film premiered at Village 6 Cinemas on Tuesday.
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The award-winning documentary, Leitis in Waiting, has come to Fiji with strong messages that challenge attitudes and behaviours towards the transgender minority community.
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The Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team yesterday announced the screening of the internationally recognized and award winning documentary "Leitis in Waiting”.
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To many of us, the South Pacific may almost seem like a different realm altogether but paradoxically, attitudes there have an all-too-familiar backdrop when it comes to the subject of the LGBT+ community. This is a story of LGBT+ and Cultural Diversity: The emotional journey of what it means to be different in a society ruled by tradition, and what it takes to be accepted without forsaking who you are.
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The Samoa premiere of "Leitis in Waiting" took place on the last night of the ILGA Oceania conference in Apia.
The documentary had a huge impact on the local audience:
“Faced with humiliation, cruelty and their dreams openly with us. Struggling for human rights and the right to love and be loved, I was overwhelmed with how brave the leitis are despite their challenges"
“The Leitis movie was insightful and inspiring. All the hard work that Joleen does is incredible. The most unforgettable part was when her daughter, a young Leiti who had been given an ultimatum-to stop being who she is or leave the family home-came out in the gold dress for the miss galaxy pageant. She looked so beautiful"
“It was extremely powerful to be able to experience through this film, the untold stories of our sisters, the Leiti’s in Tonga. There is so much power in narratives like Jolene’s.” - Briana Fruean
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Artalk manager Sipeli said the documentary was a good opportunity to highlight challenges and difficulties faced by the LGBTQI and people in the Pacific including Fiji.
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On August 21, at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu hosted a reception and screening of 'Leitis in Waiting' - a one-hour documentary depicting the lives and challenges of leitis in Tonga, a transgender minority group fighting for equality. The special event served as the open of the 2018 edition of the Nuku'alofa Film Festival.
HRH Princess Pilolevu attended the pre-screening reception at the Tanoa Hotel and was presented with a copy of the documentary by the directors.
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As this gripping film spreads the word of the leitis determination to be respected to festival audiences around the globe, they are working daily through the Tonga Leitis Association (TLA) to demand greater inclusion and protection for LGBTI people throughout the South Pacific.
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At least 2,000 people have put their name to a petition sponsored by the Leitis in Waiting Pacific Equality Project and the Pacific Human Rights Initiative calling on the Pacific Islands Forum to use its influence to help decriminalize homosexuality.
LGTBI advocates behind the petition argue that while PIF says it promotes equality for all people in the Pacific, seven of its member states still criminalise homosexuality.
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Mataele remains an articulate, dignified, wise leader in a film that highlights a beautiful nation and a different perspective on activism that seeks collaboration with the country’s most cherished institutions. The leitis are committed to staying in their communities because they value Tongan culture and social relationships. Leitis in Waiting emerges as a documentary that is a catalyst for meaningful, sustained change that sets mutual dignity and respect for all community sectors.
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Why did you make your film? We made "Leitis in Waiting" because Joey Joleen Mataele, one of the founders of the Tonga Leitis Association and most prominent leitis in the Kingdom, invited us to Tonga to show Kumu Hina, our previous movie about a similar subject in Hawaii, and said afterward: "We've long dreamed about having our stories told. Can you help us?"
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The plight of the Leitis caught the eye of award-winning US filmmakers Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, whose film Leitis In Waiting, they say, is the first time anyone has told the story of the famous Leitis from the perspective of the group themselves.
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JOE WILSON’S fascinating new documentary sheds light on a threat to the very existence of a small LGBTQ community the other side of the world that makes for very compelling viewing.
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She's been the face of Tonga's Leiti community for the last 25 years, and now her story is featuring in a documentary screening in cities around the world. Joey Joleen Mataele says it's been an amazing journey, but not without its traumatic moments. Soana K-Aholelei of TVNZ's Tagata Pasifika sat down with the courageous transgender activist. Watch the video HERE.
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Leitis in Waiting Pacific Equality Project are calling for support to protect and promote the human rights of gender and sexual minorities in the Pacific Islands. With a petition, the group hopes to rally the support of the Pacific Islands Forum Chair, country leaders and member states.
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`Leitis in Waiting´ es una interesante y no menos emotiva película documental en donde queda reflejada la lucha de la comunidad LGTBI en este reino enclavado en Polinesia y por extensión, en el resto de las Islas del Pacífico ; una lucha para lograr una mayor aceptación y tolerancia en un sociedad particularmente religiosa y conservadora.
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We’ve looked ahead to concoct this list of the must-sees at this year’s San Francisco Frameline Film Festival. LEITIS IN WAITING: Deep in the South Pacific, a group of transgender women have filled a vital role as aids to the royal family of the nation of Tonga. Western forces threaten their very way of life, as Christian fundamentalists come to Tonga bent on outlawing anything LGBTQ. Meet the transgender women fighting to protect their cultural history—and their lives.
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