Richard Ammon. Enclosed here are three stories from three different perspectives about gay life in Fiji. The first is a commentary from a cheerful gay Fijian who has experienced a mostly pleasant life being 'out' in the capital city of Suva and living with a boyfriend. The second story is not cheerful: "I don't recommend anyone gay visit Fiji. Rabid homophobia drove me out. Fiji is a very religious country and this controls everything that happens there, especially how they feel and act towards gays.
Because the men were gay, rumors swirled around the tragic and bloody episode about sex and drugs and intrigue. The story was posted worldwide and left Fiji, for a while, with a tarnished reputation as a tourist paradise.
Story 1: I am a 24 years old Indian gay guy living here in Fiji islands. On your website, I have read some negative comments [stories 2 and 3 below] from some people on the situation of gay life in Fiji. For starters I do agree that an Australian national and a local were arrested for having sex. However, after this action, the court made rulings that both the accused be released without any form of charges outlayed to them. The Fiji Human rights body in Fiji was very proactive in that situation.
Regarding pornography. It is true that porn is illegal in Fiji. It is very well instructed in my Fiji constitution that the sale of pornographic material in the market is illegal and shooting pornography for commercial purposes is illegal as well. However, if two adults are shooting porn for personal usage it is not illegal.
As long as it is not out in the open or in the public domain. I see lots of gay tourists coming here for holidays and holding hands and are still welcome by our people. I have friends who have partners here in Fiji and are open about their relationships and being gay is accepted by lots of people here in Fiji. The writer has only talked about village life and church members that are stereotypes which are not entirely true.
