Israel Folau: indoctrination and the Tongan Fakaleiti

The population of Tonga is only about 100,000 scattered over many islands.

The census of 2011 found that 90 per cent of the population were affiliated with a Christian church or sect, roughly a third were Methodist, a third Catholic, and a third Mormon.

The Methodist Church is the established church. The royal family are prominent members. Political life is dominated by the Samoan King, 33 'nobles', and a few prominent commoners.

Homosexuality is illegal, punishable by ten years jail, but rarely enforced, as there is ongoing toleration, except from Christian missionaries in churches like the one Folau attends, of the 'fakaleiti'.

This is a third gender which functions for families that happen to have no female children, or a significant gender imbalance. 'Fakaleiti' means 'like a lady'. The other term used for this alternative gender is 'leiti'.

Children who are perceived to be 'effeminate', and possibly other very young male children, are encouraged to become fakaleiti.

These children, aged between three and five, are encouraged to behave as girls, learning to fulfil traditional female duties in the home: weaving, cooking, cleaning, child care and so on.

Many large framed fakaleiti Tongan men, who were recruited as children, now dress in mini-skirts and make-up, and go to bars and clubs where they mix. They are not all homosexual, but because they are so feminine in appearance and behaviour, they are assumed to be homosexual.

They have an annual indoors Pageant, well attended, where they celebrate their sexuality. It has been running for 25 years.

It is therefore very ironic that while Israel Folau cites text that says Hell is the destination for homosexuals, the home of his Pacific Island heritage, Tonga, has become increasingly accommodating of fakaleiti and homosexuality. This includes many churches where fakaleiti are members.

On 5 March 2019 Amnesty International reported that while many 'leitis' 'continue to be thrown out of their homes due to homophobia and transphobia, and end up at a safe house set up by the Tongan Leitis Association, there is increasing social acceptance.'

Amnesty reported that some Pacific nations have repealed out-dated laws making homosexuality a crime. These include Fiji, Vanuatu, Nauru and Palau. The Cook Islands government is legislating now and Amnesty concludes that 'Tonga may well be the next to repeal legal provisions that violate the human rights of LGBTI people'.