There is a growing divide between “third sex” communities in central and south Auckland which needs to be addressed, says the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's Pacific Peoples Project. Spokesperson Phylesha Brown-Acton says she hopes these communities will be brought together in October for LOVE LIFE 2, the Sexual Minority Groups of Pacific Peoples FONO 2007, to be held at Makaurau Marae in Mangere. The fono is being organised by the Pacific Peoples Project, with generous support from other community organisations such as Te Aronga Hou Inaianei. It is aimed at promoting a safe sex culture within “third sex” sexual minority communities of the South Pacific, who are at high risk of contracting HIV. These communities go under a variety of different names: Fa'afafine (Samoa), Mahu (Hawaii), Fakaleiti (Tonga), Takataapui (Aotearoa), ‘Akava'ine (Cook Is), Vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), Rae rae (Tahiti) and Fafafine (Niue). Brown-Acton says the divide between these minority communities in central and south Auckland has been more apparent in recent years. As they become more isolated from one another, the Pacific Peoples Project is beginning to hear increasing concerns around safety, and drug/alcohol abuse. There is also a generation gap. “The majority of elders from our Pacific Island third sex community live out south, while the younger generation live central. The older generation were the pioneers for our communities, but they are starting to feel disconnected as their worldviews clash with the younger ones.” A large part of empowering vulnerable minority communities, which are often isolated, involves bringing people together in one space to form a collective voice, Brown-Acton explains, and to understand unique needs and concerns. “If there need to be programmes implemented for the greater wellbeing of all in this group then this should be discussed openly, in a safe environment, and facilitated at a level where there are no boundaries.” The Pacific Peoples Project, its community partners locally and within the wider Pacific region believe that bridging the divide between these communities will have long-term benefits. “We need to listen more to concerns at a national level with the likes of the Love Life 2 Fono to further raise awareness around HIV and develop effective prevention programmes. Understanding the many unique needs of the Central/South Groups will only show us all that, at the end of the day, we share the same stories,” Brown-Acton says. The fono will be held October 18-21 at Makaurau Marae in Mangere, Auckland. Registration costs $25 (waged) and $15 (unwaged). Registration forms are available on the NZAF website or by contacting fono co-ordinators Phylesha Brown-Acton in Auckland (09) 300 6963 or Silipa Take in Wellington (04) 381 6640. Ref: NZAF (Press Release)