A transgender woman has died after being found in a Catholic church hall a few blocks inland from the main commercial area of downtown Apia. The body of Jeanine Tuivaiki, 20, was discovered in the early hours of Friday morning. A woman who describes herself as a close friend says Tuivaiki was "very committed to our church and especially our youth. In talking with a Samoa Observer reporter the friend appears to repeatedly have used the pronoun "he." The friend says Tuivaiki was especially talented at decorating the church and studied at computer school, never missing a class as she wanted to build a good future for herself. She apparently was in a relationship with a man but no further details are currently available. No details have yet become available from the Samoan Police. If this story raises issues and you need to talk, there is ALWAYS help out there. Please call OUTLine on 0800 OUTLINE, or Rainbow Youth on (09) 376 4155. After hours you can call Lifeline's 24-hr Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 TAUTOKO (82 88 65).
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 19th June 2016 - 11:58am