Press Release
Tribute to an Outstanding Advocate for the Pacific Region Communities, Isikeli Vulavou
Outright International is saddened to learn about the passing of Isikeli Vulavou, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN). Isikeli embraced gender-neutral pronouns ze/hir/hirs and identified as genderqueer. Ze has been a vibrant advocate for the advancement of LGBTIQ people’s human rights in the Pacific region. Through hirs leadership, Vulavou has fearlessly spoken truth to power, challenging societal norms and advocating for the rights, health, well-being, and equality of LGBTIQ communities in Fiji and the Pacific.
The Rainbow Pride Foundation, which ze founded, and PSGDN benefited greatly from Isikeli Vulavou’s extensive experience and specialties in gender and social inclusion, organizational development and change management, results-based management for planning, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, communication for development, and behavior change, reflecting hir passion and commitment to the cause.
Quote from Maria Sjödin
“It was a privilege to witness Isikeli’s dedication to serving Pacific communities, ensuring they were included in crucial conversations on a global stage. Hir passing is a significant loss, especially during a time when we needed more courageous people like Isikeli. Despite the challenges we are facing as a movement, we still dared to make plans for future collaborations,”
We will remember Vulavou through our many collaborations with PSGDN to advance the rights of LGBTIQ people and communities in the Asia-Pacific region through the LGBTQI+ Equality in Asia-Pacific (LEAP) Initiative. This initiative aligned with Vulavou’s mission to address barriers LGBTIQ people face in accessing education, employment, and health care and to counter anti-rights actors.
“I will remember IV for their passion, dedication, and compassion for the PIDSOGIESC communities in the Pacific region. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with them for many years to make those much-needed gains in the region, whether it was on access to health care, law and policy reforms, or building and strengthening a growing movement in the region. The third Pacific Human Rights conference in Fiji last April was a testimony to IV´s leadership. I will dearly miss a great colleague and friend; may they rest in peace,” said Outright's Senior Advisor for Global Advocacy, Paul Jansen.
“Isikeli has been a force for years not only for local Fijian and Pacific organizing but for the global LGBTIQ movement. Isikeli engaged several times at the United Nations in both Geneva and New York over the years, where I got to know them. Isikeli captured the global rainbow spirit: that in the face of so much difficulty - and, of course, with many internal differences and even disagreements - it is together across borders that we are stronger. Always forging connections and seeing new opportunities, Isikeli will be deeply missed but has a lasting legacy in the deeper global community they helped build. Rest in peace, dear colleague,” wrote André du Plessis, United Nations Program Director at Outright International.
Vulavou's advocacy has always been emphatic on inclusive and respectful language from political leaders, reminding us that such values can serve as both a strength and a shield against the rising tide of undemocratic rhetoric aimed at marginalizing LGBTIQ communities around the globe. In an era where messages of love and acceptance are critical, Vulavou’s efforts to promote these ideals have become even more critical. However, it is disheartening to see that the vital work ze championed is now stifled, making it all the more imperative for all of us in civil society to amplify hir message and stand firmly against hate and division.
Outright International sends sincere condolence to all those who knew and loved hir.
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