April 26, 2019
Whānau first in combating homophobia
LEONIE PIHAMA INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
The co-author of an open letter calling for an end to homophobic and transphobic attacks and abuse says whānau, hapū and iwi have a major role to play.
Dr Leonie Pihama, the director of Waikato University’s Te Kotahi Research Institute, says the letter was a response not just to recent statements by rugby player Israel Folau and Destiny Church head Brian Tamaki but to continuing negative attitudes in Aotearoa.
She says takatāpui and LGBTIQ people are standing up, but they are also calling for wider community support.
The letter was informed by research now being done with about takatāpui well being, which revealed they want whānau, hapū and iwi to take a stand.
"We’re looking to our whānau, hapū and iwi to create safe people and safe places for us that we may not find in a wider society. People are saying when we know who the people are in our whānau who will support us, who will be there for us no matter what, we are more able to walk out in the wider world and deal with homophobia," Associate Professor Pihama says.
The letter is open for more people to sign.
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