AUCKLAND: I was fortunate to be a member of the original University of the South Pacific Student Association-affiliated Drodrolagi group at USP in 1998. As a young queer student, it made all the difference in the world to know that there was a group of students just like me in that big university.
Even though we received some opposition from some cultural and faith-based groups, we also received overwhelming support from the Women's Students Association, the History-Politics Students' Association and the Journalism Students' Association. In fact, we soon became quite a formidable student activism bloc. Some of these relationships continued in our professional lives, and some members of these associations continue to be my good friends and fellow activists to this day.
I would like to help other queer students at USP find a group of like-minded students and allies on and off campus in the greater fight for human rights in the Pacific. These students also pay student association fees and should be able to use them how they see fit, in a USPSA-affiliated group with access to support and services like all the other students on campus.
I hope you do support this Open Letter for Support for the Drodrolagi Movement by adding your name to the petition.
It will make all the difference in the world!
Vinaka and Loloma levu
Luisa Tora
Auckland
Pacific Media Watch
