Rainbow Fale Training with The Village Collective
The Rainbow Fale is an initiative delivered by The Village Collective aimed at building and maintaining supportive environments for the Pasifika Rainbow Community. We addressed the differences and similarities between MVPFAFF+ and LGBTQIA+. The Western terms are a lot more focused on sexuality, whereas MVPFAFF+ a term coined by the amazing Phylesha Acton-Brown focuses on gender diversity and tries to encompass all Oceania:
Mahu – Hawai’i & Tahiti
Vakasalewa - Fiji
Palopa – Papua New Guinea
Fa’afafine - Samoa
Akava’ine – Cook Islands
Fakaleiti (Leiti) - Tonga
Fakafifine – Niue
On the 18th of November, Leti and Isha from Village Collective rolled out the electronic fala for 12 our Tamaki aiga to talanoa freely. We started with three questions on our journey map:
What I want to know or learn about?
What are my existing beliefs?
What I used to think or believe?
We introduced the main rules of our Koru Groups when engaging in our open talanoa “No Judgement, No Advice” when learning about the differences between identity, attraction, sex, and expression. We wrapped up with an amazing Q+A part where some people shared their own ongoing journeys, as well as pick the brains of our incredible facilitators.
To remove the stigma that people are afraid to talk about the Rainbow community, we need to be able to have these deep talanoa. That the only way forward is with an open mind to learn and share our experiences, only then can our MVPFAFF+/LGBTQIA+ aiga can truly be who they are, and not have to hide. Learning, understanding, and accepting one another are huge parts of healthy relationships. This is why The HEART Movement and Village Collective will continue to provide safe spaces for these talanoa to happen.
