The Feed: July 16

Tomorrow night on SBS 2’s The Feed, Patrick Abboud speaks exclusively to Fa’afafine living in Australia.

Traditionally, Fafa have the body of a man but identify as female. They have sex with men and women but are generally not gay. Gender identity in Samoan culture is about the role you play in the family not so your anatomy. When a family has 8 or 9 sons and no girls, it’s quite normal for them to simply raise one of their boys as a girl.

The Feed’s Patrick Abboud speaks to three Fa’afafine living in Australia:

Ymania was raised Fafa and had always been a man living as a woman until recently when she underwent gender re-assignment surgery.

Leo Tanoi was supposed to be the Fafa in his family of 7 boys, but he completely rejected the idea. He turned to footy as a way of proving his masculinity and went all the way to the top, scoring a spot in first grade for Cronulla Sharks. This is the first time he shares his harrowing story on Australian television.

Phineas was raised Fafa. He lives as a man but feels very strongly the spirit of a woman. Phineas is very proud of his Fa’afafine identity and hopes to dispel the myths surrounding this unique cultural practice.

“The Western media portrays us as freaks, drag queens and prostitutes,” says Phineas when speaking to The Feed.

There are around two thousand Fafa currently living across Samoa and it is estimated there is up to three hundred Fafa currently living in Australia.

The Feed airs weeknights on SBS 2 and combines news of the day, topical commentary, pop culture and in-depth features adding a fresh perspective on the latest local and international headlines.

7:30pm Tuesday SBS 2.