Joey Joleen Mataele

Joey Joleen Mataele

Country

Tonga

Occupation

Activist

Description

Transgender Chair and co-founder of the regional umbrella organizations Pacific Sexual Diversity Network. Identifies as a Leiti, the inclusive term for transgender women and gay and bisexual men in Tonga. Founded the Miss Galaxy Queen Pageant as an annual event to celebrate the diversity and creativity of fakaleitis and the LGBTQ community in Tonga. Pacific Island Representative on the International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA), and Executive Board and Chairperson of the South Pacific MSM (Men Who Have Sex with Men) Network Group. Named one of the world’s most prominent political figures and influential thinkers by US news publication Foreign Policy (2019).

Further Reading/Research

• http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/PromotingLGBTIequalityinthePacific.aspx
• https://foreignpolicy.com/2019-global-thinkers/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNLCeyt4I-U
• https://www.youtube.com/user/joleendeflir

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