Pride Month: Fight for LGBTQI+ rights must continue

Loata Seru, PSGDN interim chief executive officer (middle - green top) with staff members.

We must continue the fight to create a safer, and more inclusive environment for all LGBTQI+ individuals in Fiji and across the Pacific, while ensuring the movement has the necessary support and resources to thrive.

This message from Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) Interim Chief Executive Officer Loata Tucika, in recognition of PRIDE Month celebrations worldwide this month. Ms Seru says this year’s powerful theme for PRIDE Month, “The Fabric of Freedom,” underscores the fundamental freedom that every SOGIESC+ person is entitled to in the Pacific, and PSGDN stands united with its national member organisations, offering unwavering support in their continued fight against discrimination and inequality.

“As a dedicated advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and well-being across Fiji and the Pacific, we proudly honor PRIDE Month by acknowledging the invaluable impact LGBTQI+ individuals have on their families and communities throughout the region,” said.

Ms Tucika emphasised that PRIME Month was a fitting moment to celebrate the achievements of LGBTQI+ advocates and their allies across the Pacific and globally—individuals committed to securing legal protection, fairness, equality, and dignity for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.

She noted that for those with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), PRIDE Month served not only as a platform for self-affirmation and the pursuit of equal rights, but also as a powerful tool to raise public awareness about the unique challenges they encountered.

“It is also a time to celebrate diversity, resilience and the contribution of persons of diverse SOGIESC with PRIDE, affirming that the community is an integral part of their countries.

"As an organisation dedicated to advocating for the human rights and well-being of LGBTQI+ communities in Fiji and the wider Pacific, we take this PRIDE Month to honor and celebrate the significant contributions LGBTQI+ individuals make to their families and communities across the region," said PSGDN.

"We also reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with them in the ongoing fight against discrimination and injustice.

"Although legal advancements have been made, LGBTQI individuals in Fiji and throughout the Pacific still endure violence, harassment, and discrimination simply for being themselves.

“Alarmingly, many law enforcement agencies continue to ignore the hate speech and hate crimes that persist in our societies," she added.

“Fiji and many Pacific countries such as the Cook Islands and Vanuatu need to strengthen existing laws that are meant to protect people and their right to live with dignity.”

Ms Tucika said we must not rest until the region’s governments recognise in law the equality for LGBTQI+ persons.

“I urge sincere support, true allyship, and unwavering commitment from all partners and stakeholders to help shape a just and inclusive Pacific society—one that upholds and protects the full spectrum of human rights for LGBTQI individuals," she stated.

The Interim CEO extended this call specifically to businesses, corporations, government bodies, development and donor partners, and civil society organisations, inviting them to actively participate in this year's PRIDE Month celebrations and to demonstrate meaningful and authentic allyship.

"We rely on resources not just to sustain our organisation, but more crucially, to support and empower our community.”

Ms Tucika said acknowledgement meant progress, and as a society that takes pride in culture and traditions, needed to come together in support of the LGBTQI communities to foster acceptance.

"We must urgently acknowledge the strength and perseverance of countless LGBTQI individuals striving to live openly and authentically, while also demanding accountability from those who infringe upon their rights and freedoms," Ms Tucika stressed.

"At PSGDN, we stand with the LGBTQI community every single day. We are committed to honoring their dignity and are resolute in our mission to safeguard their rights and wellbeing,” she affirmed.

PSGDN extends warm wishes for a joyful and vibrant PRIDE Month to everyone across the Blue Pacific.

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