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Insecurities and strategies of the leiti (transgender) community in Tonga and the role of businesses and indigenous reconciliation practices

Amin, Sara N. and Girard, Christian (2020) Insecurities and strategies of the leiti (transgender) community in Tonga and the role of businesses and indigenous reconciliation practices. In: Mapping Security in the Pacific: A Focus on Context, Gender and Organisational Culture. Routledge, London, pp. 146-157. ISBN 9780429031816

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Abstract

In Tonga, leitis refer to transgender individuals who are biologically male but whose gender performance is associated with women. Leitis face different forms of insecurities, subject to psychological, sexual and physical violence, as well as economic insecurities produced through discrimination in schools and families that lead to high levels of unemployment and precarity. This chapter presents the perspective of Tongan leiti activist Joey Joleen Mataele. The chapter highlights that while laws that criminalise homosexuality, cross-dressing and a firmly rooted Christianity contribute to insecurities of leitis, social media are a new source of concern and oppression. In order to advance social justice for gender diversity in Tonga, open dialogue and sharing experiences through the indigenous talanoa methodology is seen as key to building on deep human ties within Tongan communities. Businesses also play a key role as partners in creating spaces and opportunities for leitis to work and perform.

Item Type: Book Chapter
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: School of Law and Social Sciences (SoLaSS)
Depositing User: Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited: 01 Mar 2022 04:16
Last Modified: 01 Mar 2022 04:16
URI: https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/13272

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