File Photo A transgender Samoan woman with convictions for indecent assault of children has been granted leave to appeal against her deportation, on humanitarian grounds. The High Court has ruled she can appeal, after Saolele Tauialo Pelu's plea to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal was dismissed last year. Fairfax reports court documents show Pelu argued that if she was sent back to Samoa she would not have access to adequate hormone treatment or gender re-assignment surgery. Pelu has been saving for gender reassignment surgery that would cost her $7000 but spent all of her savings on clothing instead. She’s told the court her reasons for wanting surgery were to free herself of her attraction to boys, Fairfax reports. She felt if she became a “full woman”, the young boys would become her children instead of sexual partners. She said if she were to go back to Samoa, her convictions would not be accepted and she might not be able to find work. The tribunal found hormone treatment might not be readily available in Samoa and she would also miss out on specialist medical and psychological treatment and support. However, it ruled it would not be unjust or unduly harsh to deport her. Read more here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 14th April 2014 - 8:56am