Fa'afafine performer Lindah LePou (AKA 'Lindah E') says she had a “wonderful time” singing on stage at this year's Pasifika Festival earlier this month, but her troubles from the 2005 Festival fracas aren't quite over yet. LePou says she was invited to sing a few songs on the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) stage this year. "It was fabulous, they are great. So it was really fun – a successful day all around.” This year was Auckland's 15th Annual Pasifika Festival, and boasted an all-star line-up of the best of Pacific Island entertainers including the Yandall Sisters, operatic tenor Ben Makisi, Jamoa Jam, Spacifix, Tha Freestyle, Ardijah, Brother Love, and Loata Mahe. The 2005 Festival had ended in disaster for LePou, when she was removed just minutes before she was due on stage. Entertainment director Thelo Meleisea said he didn't want to offend the Christians in the audience by having a Fa'afafine performer on stage. Auckland City Council later apologised and Meleisea resigned. LePou says she went to the Human Rights Commission, and soon the situation all seemed to be resolved. “I got the formal apology from the council, and then we went into compensation. Everyone fulfilled his or her obligation except one person. It was hilarious because we all signed it, and then the next day that person reneged.” The Human Rights Commission is still working on the issue, LePou believes. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 28th March 2007 - 12:00pm