The Samoa Fa’afafine Association (S.F.A.) hosted a media consultation on Wednesday at the Edge Restaurant, Matautu, in a bid to correct some of the misconceptions about them in the media.

The event was opened by the Samoa Fa’afafine Association President, So’oalo Roger Stanley, who said the session was about working with the media to provide “fair, accurate and inclusive” coverage of issues in relation to fa’afafine.

The consultation was attended by members of the media. It was funded by the U.N.D.P’s Global Fund.

“This is a long overdue process,” said So’oalo.

 “We really wanted to have it done so that we can start the discussion with the Media representatives and Samoa Media Council. 

“We want to make sure all the information that has been given for the public reporting about fa’afafine is correct, especially to make sure it is fair, accurate and inclusive.”

One of the issues discussed is whether the media should refer to faafafine as “he” or “she.” The general response from the fa’afafines present was they would rather be referred to as fa’afafine.

According to So’oalo, this is only the beginning of what they hope would be an ongoing dialogue between S.F.A. and the Media to work on ways to move forward.