The third biannual summit of leaders from the Pacific's sexual minority communities will bring together participants from some of the most marginalised groups from within Aotearoa and the Pacific nations to Auckland over 29 October – 1 November 2009.

The event's coordinator Phylesha Brown-Acton says the Love Life3 Fono aims to unite people from New Zealand-based Pacific communities and young Pacific people.

"The Fono provides a safe, inclusive environment for people from Pacific Sexual Minorities groups from New Zealand and across the Pacific to discuss emerging issues like HIV prevention and health equity," she explains.

"Sexual minorities are some of the communities most at risk of HIV in the Pacific. Research shows that the development of inclusive, strong and supportive communities and organisations is essential for building an HIV resilient New Zealand and Pacific."

Regional delegates from Pacific nations are carefully selected for their experience and ability to lead, and there is a high expectation that skills acquired from the Fono will be transferred to their local communities, Brown-Acton adds.

PACIFIC CONNECTIONS

Sexual minority 'third sex' Pacific communities go under a variety of different names: Fa'afafine (Samoa), Mahu (Hawaii), Fakaleiti (Tonga), Whakawahine (Aotearoa), 'Akava'ine (Cook Is), Vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), Rae rae (Tahiti) and Fiafifine (Niue).

The inaugural Love Life Fono was held in 2005 and was instrumental in the development of several key organisations in the Pacific such as the Samoan AIDS Foundation, the Tongan Leiti Association and the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network.

Registrations for the Love Life 3 Fono are now open. Interested people can register by emailing phylesha.ba@nzaf.org.nz or by calling 64 9 303 3124.