Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, everyone has equal rights to access opportunities and services.

This as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex community in Fiji are still facing challenges in accessing justice due to the fear of being victimized.

Rainbow Pride Foundation’s Founder Isikeli Vulavou says protection and legal services for the LGBTQI community needs to be enhanced.

Many members of our community are still unable to access justice due to the fear of being harassed or denied service outright. This is why we need legal and policy reforms to ensure justice and protection.

Vulavou adds members of the LGBTQI community have faceed challenges from a young age.

The challenges related to be unidentified as LGBTQI+ often combine with other factors of exclusion such as age, class and religion making gender equality an exclusion often worse for the LGBTQI youth.

The International day against Homophobia, Trans-phobia and Biphobia will be celebrated tomorrow with the theme “Justice and Protection for all”.