Pacific leaders should not only talk about the social inclusion of the LGBTQI community but to “walk the talk and make meaningful contributions”.

Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) CEO Isikeli Vulavou made the comment in a statement on the occasion of Zero Discrimination Day that was commemorated yesterday.

“Inclusion requires dismantling all legislations that criminalises sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, and that negates a person’s identity,” Vulavou said.

“It also requires urgent measures to dismantle the systems of repression that enforce the idea that diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity is somehow harmful to society.

“PSGDN calls on Fiji and the Pacific governments to develop robust legal frameworks and policies that protect LGBTQI people from discrimination in all sectors, and our leaders must learn to celebrate diversity and challenge structures and norms that limit the contribution and representation of LGBTQI people in the Pacific.

“States must recognise the intersectional nature of discrimination and exclusion, address their root causes, and ensure meaningful participation of LGBTQI people in decision-making processes.”

Vulavou says there is also an urgent need to relook at “repressive laws” and take action to end the inequalities and discrimination that it endorses.

“States have a moral and legal obligation to remove discriminatory laws and to enact laws that protect people from discrimination.”