The late Jeanine Tuivaiki, the photo she used on her Facebook page. The Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer newspaper's full apology text refers to transwoman/fa'afafine Jeanine Tuivaiki, whose body was displayed on the front page of the paper's Sunday edition, as a man. And the apology, which includes a lengthy rationale for presenting the image, defends the use of the photo as an "inspiration" and part of a debate over suggestions Christianity should be made the only religion allowed in the country.Gatoaitele Savea Sano Malifa says it was felt by the paper's editorial staff that in death Tuivaike was asking "Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Pope Francis, and Rev. Mauga Motu, to make friends with everyone, and let there be peace." Mauga Motu is executive secretary of the Samoa's National Council of Churches. The editor-in-chief makes no mention of the disrespect shown to Tuivaike by the paper's accompanying article referring to her as male and, in his apology, continues to refer to her as a man. At the end of the lengthy explanation closes by saying: "And if you’re offended by it still, we apologize." There is no acknowledgement of the distress and hurt caused to Tuivaiki's family, friends and other fa'afafine. The apology was printed in today's Samoa Observer and the original article has been removed from the paper's website. The full text of the explanation and apology can be read here. 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: Monday, 20th June 2016 - 1:37pm