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Fa'afafine removed from Pasifika stage

Sun 13 Mar 2005 In: New Zealand Daily News

Fa'afafine icon Lindah LePou is furious after she was bundled off the stage at Friday night's first Pacific Music Awards by a security guard who didn't want to offend Christians in the audience. LePou was scheduled to present the award for Best Male Artist, but at literally the last minute was replaced by someone else. "Just as I get on stage and the envelope and award is in my hand, this security guy comes running getting me to go off stage," she says. The fashion designer and singer/songwriter was told was the reason for her removal was because there were Christians in the audience that would be offended because she was fa'afafine. The Pacific Music Awards committee who chose Lindah E to be presenter said they had nothing to do with her from being dumped from the programme. A spokesperson on Saturday said they are not happy with the decision, but the entertainment director who would have been directly responsible for LePou's ousting would not comment. LePou has boycotted the remainder of the Pasifika festival this weekend, is taking her case to the Human Rights Commission, and is seeking advice on legal action. "It's not good enough, I want action," she says.    

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Sunday, 13th March 2005 - 12:00pm

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