Getting to know you

[calabash]

Hi, I am 'Calabash' and I first heard about persons like yourselves some years ago on a BBC radio programme. They featured Bangladesh, where they estimated then that there were upwards of 4m. such persons on the streets of Dhaka, all abandoned by their relatives, and severely discriminated against by the authorities. In fact, they were listed as non-persons, without an ID, and no claims to any social benifits. But there was great cameraderie amongst them, in that they would look out for each other and take in all new arrivals, giving them comfort in those initial stages of abandonment.
Also in that programme, they mentioned New York as a city with upwards of 1m. such persons. They were well organised, with a Carol as their 'President.'
It was the first time I heard the term 'Intersex' being used.
I consider myself a very liberal person, and ever since then I have wanted to commuunicate, even make friends with someone from this community. But I never knew that such a forum existed until today--and I happened to stumble on it while browsing.
Allow me to say that I am a normal male, and I hope that I will be accepted to your forum.
I am hereby inviting any member out there who might wish to respond to me, to kindly do so. I will in turn respond to all of you, providing I am not overwhelmed.
Calabash is signing out. Bye for now.

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=calabash;16145]

Also in that programme, they mentioned New York as a city with upwards of 1m. such persons. They were well organised, with a Carol as their 'President.'
It was the first time I heard the term 'Intersex' being used.

>>> As a native New Yorker, you'd think i'd have heard of it. Tell me more. <<

[EMW]

Calabash, is it possible that you are confusing the terms, "intersexed," and "transsexual?" The figures you quoted give me the indication that you are thinking about transsexuals in NYC and Hijras in Bangladesh.

Could you please clarify.

Emily

[calabash]

Hi, Emily
I am pleased to meet you.
I must say that I am not confused by the term I have used. By today's standards, the term Intersex is what one would refer to as speaking politically correct. And that is how such persons are referred to, at least in the US, and possibly UK. Where I made a mistake, was in the numbers for Dhaka, Bangladesh. That figure was 400k, and not 4m.as I stated.

[calabash]

[QUOTE=calabash;16145]

Also in that programme, they mentioned New York as a city with upwards of 1m. such persons. They were well organised, with a Carol as their 'President.'
It was the first time I heard the term 'Intersex' being used.

>>> As a native New Yorker, you'd think i'd have heard of it. Tell me more. <<

Hi, there, Fraulein Maria
Calabash is happy to talk with you. Thanks for responding. Anyway, as I said, the programme on which I heard about such persons was aired a few years ago. But I distinctly remember that term being used by the interviewee to describe themselves, and I remember her name as Carol. Whether that organisation is still active, or defunct, I do not know. And there is not muchmore that I can tell you, since I am speaking from memory. Anyway, I do hope that we can continue to talk like this. Bye for now.

[The Female Eunuch]

EMW said: Calabash, is it possible that you are confusing the terms, "intersexed," and "transsexual?" The figures you quoted give me the indication that you are thinking about transsexuals in NYC and Hijras in Bangladesh.

EMW, are you saying that the Hijras of Bangladesh and eastern India are not intersexed. I understood that they were intersexed, but of course that may have been wrong

[Kailana]

I think I know the documentary, and its relavance, What I think Calabash is referring to is the Hijra, now the relavance here is that many intersex infants are claimed by many Hijra's Mothers and are said to belong to that community cast. Often if a Hijra finds out that an intersex child is born, they will take them, from the hospital, sometimes parents will give consent to do so, sometimes they will be stolen, the society standards there sort of confuses the status, as not all Hijra's are born intersexed, some are sort of psuedo Trans, surgery done in less then desirable clinics, if in a clinic at all.

What i hated about the documentary is the taking of children because they are born intersexed, to be raised as Hijra's, <---that is not an easy life. There was also a family who was very upset that their child had been taken, but also felt that extended family and friends pushed for it, and sort of told them to accept that fate for their child. Again, I don't agree with the custom, as many are well recognised as a 3rd gender true, but most also engage in socially approved prostition. i have an issue with that as being an accepted custom, for a 3rd gender.

Ahh, also isnt their the Fafafini or something like that in Polynesian culture that sort of does the same? a 3rd gender thats socially accepted, and even approved by society, but again, many engage in sociaclly approved prostition.

This is sort of what I would call not exactly the best way to accept a 3rd gender.

[The Female Eunuch]

Kailana said:Ahh, also isnt their the Fafafini or something like that in Polynesian culture that sort of does the same? a 3rd gender thats socially accepted, and even approved by society, but again, many engage in sociaclly approved prostition.

There are Fa-afafine in New Zealand too. The 'socially-accepted third gender' stuff is true, but I haven't heard it suggested that there is any particular connection with prostitution. Now I've always heard it said that al fa-afafine are born biologically male, but I wouldn't be surprised if intersex people who appear anatomically closer to male than to female also get classed as fa-fafine.

I'm wary of saying much more about fa-fafine identity, because I don't really know that much and would probably get it wrong.

In New Zealand, queer people are often referred to by the acronym GLBTITF, which stands for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual/Transgender (depending on who you ask), Intersex, Taakataapui and Fa'afafine. Just because Intersex is included in the acronym doesn't mean people using the acronym necessarily know what it means. I'm not sure what Taakataapui means.

cheers,
Caroline

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=calabash;16158] But I distinctly remember that term being used by the interviewee to describe themselves, and I remember her name as Carol.


>>> transexuals often 'pose as us... shamelessly so. what did "she" look like?

XX-CAH females (AKA female psuedo-hermaphrodites) are SHORT (less than 5'4"... most less than that) and bearded... or need to shave... badly ;)

As NYC is the CAH capitol of the USA, its inconceivable that a spokeswoman for IS'ers in NYC was not CAH... we do make up 80% of all intersexed people.

XY-AIS females (AKA male psuedo-hermaphrodites) get more media attention but are far more rare and camera shy. Common folk mistake them for well sculpted MtF trans folk, but the experienced eye can easily tell the difference. <<<

Whether that organisation is still active, or defunct, I do not know. And there is not muchmore that I can tell you, since I am speaking from memory.

>>> ISNA ( the interxed society of north america ) was the first group in the US and it started in chicago with Cheryl Chase. Is this who and what you are speaking of? <<<

[EMW]

It is my understanding that the Hijras are males who like transsexuals feel that their brain does not match their body -- more precisely in their culture they would indeed consider themselves neither male nor female but rather a third sex. They do dress as women however and I've read often refer to themselves as female.

They do not have the money for sexual reassignment surgery and so resort to back alley surgeries removing either their testicles or both their penis and testicles in their entirety without any reconstructive surgery (and without anesthesia!!!).

Now I'm sure that there is some small percentage that are intersexed or even female by birth, but the majority of them are not intersexed at all. Figures quoting 400,000 or even a half a million Hijras are not the same as stating that there are 400,000 to 500,000 intersexed individuals -- that is simply not the case.

Emily

[Kailana]

There are Fa-afafine in New Zealand too. The 'socially-accepted third gender' stuff is true, but I haven't heard it suggested that there is any particular connection with prostitution. Now I've always heard it said that al fa-afafine are born biologically male, but I wouldn't be surprised if intersex people who appear anatomically closer to male than to female also get classed as fa-fafine.

I'm wary of saying much more about fa-fafine identity, because I don't really know that much and would probably get it wrong.Caroline; TFE

what I remember about the Fa-fafine is that many people are actually encouraged to choose it, by family members, as it provides additional income, socially a man having sex with Fa-fafine is not considered homosexual, which is well a neat aspect to those society's, the thing is that the income from many of the Fa-fafine is made by prostitition, paid for providing sex. At least that is what I recall from the National Geographic Taboo series that aired a month ago i think.

For the Hijra, many are men who have chosen to reassign to a sort of ambigous gender, as another posted a less reconstructive surgery as its more the removal of the male genitalia without rebuilding female. Some income is made by providing spiritual ceremonies and blessings, but many rely on income obtained from payment for sex. Other income from begging? in a sort of harrassment type manner. <----sort of like what was depicted on the documentary is that they harrass people to elicist a boon payment for a blessing.

Now when it comes to the intersexed infants, again, I recall from a previous documentary, forgot which one, that was just about the hijra, that many intersex infants when found out about, the information, is sold to Hijra mothers, Matriaches, and they then harrass families in order to uptain the infants to be raised within a hijra group enclave. What struck me as cruel is that the parents of one of those children commented, that they felt forced by family's and friends, to accept that there child would become hijra, but they knew they had the love, acceptance, and the resources to provide a good home and upbringing for there child. There was alot of emotion expressed on how bad the parents wanted their child.

I sort of feel that even though there is a semi accepted 3rd gender in some society's, that just because a person is born intersexed, doesn't mean they must be forced to live in a culture as hijra, it is not that appealing of a life style. For those that choose it great, but it shouldn't be forced onto anyone.

[The Female Eunuch]

Kailana wrote:what I remember about the Fa-fafine is that many people are actually encouraged to choose it, by family members,

I've certainly heard about people being encouraged to choose it by their families.

as it provides additional income, socially a man having sex with Fa-fafine is not considered homosexual,

That's true too.

which is well a neat aspect to those society's, the thing is that the income from many of the Fa-fafine is made by prostitition, paid for providing sex.

That bit I find more surprising. The idea of Samoan paernts encouraging their sons to become prostitutes doesn't fit with my impression of Samoan culture. But I suppose I don't know enough to say for certain that it doesn't happen.

cheers,
Caroline

[calabash]

Hi there, everyone,
It is indeed heartening to see that my article has generated such discusion. I welcome it, and I am also learning from you, the situation as it obtains in other societies. It is indeed deplorable that the only level to which such persons in these societies can aspire is that of prostitution or street-begging. Certainly, I would think that most of them are born with normal brains, and, if provided with a proper education, could become model citizens. What I also think is that the authorities in these countries ought to set about some serious social re-engineering, and some international benevolent organisation should get on board with them, to put beneficial programmes in place for these obviously disadvantaged persons.

Calabash.

[Kailana]

In older times, they were a respected religous order. Many still practice the blessings rights for weddings and new births, other celebrations too and get donations for providing those services, but over time, the receiving payment for sex has been alot more common, slowly changing to become well accepted behavior i guess. And that is basically socially approved of prostition.

For the Fa-fafini sort of do the same, though might also perform in celebrations and fairs, special events. But again, from watching that National Geographic Taboo special, prostition is how should I say this, not exactly approved of socially, but it isn't considered to be socially taboo either. I almost feel like what the documentary portrayed was socially not really caring about it, sort of like, a man having sex with Fa-fafine also isnt considered gay, as the Fa-fafini arent considered men, by their society, more like they are closer to Drag Queens, performers and what not, but a fair amount of their income comes from receiving payment for services provided. <----the subtle way of saying yah ok, so some are selling themselves, truethfully I would add, I doubt all Fa-fini practice prostition, but the documentary didn't really say that or clarify what they meant by selling services to men, for an evening.

thinking, ok. A great big apology to any Fa-fafini, I do not mean to demean anyone for there expression of gender, or practicing prostition either, if it works for you, well good I guess, as long as your ok with it, enjoy. Apologeez to for assuming or giving the impression that you are selling your body for sex, wasnt my intention to do so. Just that is what I recall from the tv program. i am sure there are many who do not practive prostition, many who prefer more civilised pursuits in entertainment and still make a good income. I am sorry if i inadvertently offend anyone with assuming anything about the hijra or the Fa-fafini. I have no real knowledge about either as I have only watched t.v. Documentaries on them. I have no way of validating anything that was reported. Sorry again because I do know what it is like when people assume incorrect information about something as important as yourself your identity, who you are. Be happy and if your not, try to be happy anyways. happiness is a good goal to strive for. happiness is a noble goal to achieve.

[The Female Eunuch]

for an alternative view to the National Geographic one, you may be interested in this article on the Samoan Government website:

http://www.govt.ws/sv_article.cfm?sv_id=260

cheers,
Caroline

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=calabash;16177] beneficial programmes in place for these obviously disadvantaged persons.

>>> how 'bout those of us in "civilized" countries who have spent every penny on health care (simply because our parents lied) and are now broke? :(

[The Female Eunuch]

[quote=calabash;16177] beneficial programmes in place for these obviously disadvantaged persons.

>>> how 'bout those of us in "civilized" countries who have spent every penny on health care (simply because our parents lied) and are now broke?

(1) if there is any such thing as a civilised country, Samoa would qualify as one.

(2) the Samoan government does have programmes to help fa'afafine

(3) I think change to the US health system has to come from inside the country.

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=The Female Eunuch;16182][

(3) I think change to the US health system has to come from inside the country.

>>> workin on it. I spent the morning making phone calls to unseat senator Sununu.... voted with Bush 90% of the time... an embarrassment to my state.

[Kailana]

or whatever the leader of the country is, prime minister thingy.

If you noticed it was the Christian right wing that was asking for a blanket ban on homosexuality. Ahh, if I am not mistaken, Christianity is not a Samoan cultural belief, just as Christianity is not an American Cultural belief. Now most Christians would contest my last statement, but Culturally we stupid Americans just hate anything we don't agree with, that is about the only Cultural belief any of us American's have. Unfortunately there also happens to be a very large population of American Christians, oh wait bummer I'm Christian, sort of.

Is it ok if I still call myself Christian even though I happen to actually have some common sense? Love, Love, Love, Love God, ahhh, well just love, and you'll be ok.

Too bad there are so many Americans in America, this Country would actually be a really neat place if there were more non-Americans here. Too many Americans... well are just spoiled and think they deserve more then there share. Sorry my fellow Americans, but look at how hard your grandparents or Great-grandparents work and think about what you do in comparison. Think about what you have that they didn't have. think about all the freedoms you enjoy that they didn't. oh and stop complaining and whining about trivial crap that doesnt affect you. <-------had to sneak that in.

Hmmm where was I?

ok, lost my chain of thought.

Oh umm, well the Prime Ministers comments were pretty good, he sort of just blew off the Christian based question on banning homosexuality. Oh and even here in the good old US of A, plenty of Homosexuals raise families, have stable work, provide many services, but the Voice of the Christian right wing, is sort of Strong, they do seem to enjoy banning rights too same sex couples even though Religion is actually banned from U.S. Law, haha yes it is unconstitutional to write into Federal Law any religous practice as The Constitution of the United States does enforce separation of Church and State. Unfortunately Politicians don't get hung for Treason like they should be, as our Constition is what is supposed to mean the most to us American Citizens.

Just wondering, but for those who have tried sueing in the Supreme Court for allowing same sex marriages, you went about incorrectly. instead of sueing for the right to have same sex marriages, you all should of sued to ban any religous based/faith based practices from Federal Law that discriminates against a fellow American Citizen and used the Constitution as your grounds for discrimination. The right to marry, What the Religous organizations claim, as being only between a man and woman, is a Religous belief, and clearly in Violation of our Constitution. You see there shouldn't be any laws on any books, state or federal that bans same sex Marriage. <----that is what should be challenged. And you know what, All Federal Judges/courts should be required by LAW to provide Marriages of any two American Citizens, and the federal Judges should know and accept it. Should be required to perform the services as part of being a Federal Judge or even a state Judge, now if a religous group such as Christian's want to ban marriages in their churches they can freely do so, as that is their right to do so as again our Constition clearly enforces the separation of Church and State. Now Am I being obnoxiously redundant, of course I am. You Know I think gay couples should file for marriage certificates in State and Federal Courts, totally Tie up the court system, I would bet that at some point the Courts would finally get it, and stop being stupid, and recognize that not all Americans believe in Christianity, or that even Amongst Many Christians or other religions same sex marriages is not even an issue we even worry about. I do think any two people can choose to be miserable together if they want too, Oh wait, alternative Remedy, Start your own Religion and Allow same sex Marriages in your Bible. Then again, you would have to be recognised as legally married, as once again, our Constitution enforces seperation of church and state.

Ok ok, i am being silly. blah just get married anywhere you damn want to, like Canada where it is legal, get those damn certificates, and you know what file back here in the US as a couple on your taxes. Your married tada. gee now you can be as miserable as my parents. I'd crack a few Jokes, but i don't know any.

"Do you know how to tell the difference between a True Christian and a Christian who thinks he/she is a True-Christian"?
and yes im gonna wait for answers before I tell the rest.

[EMW]

Kailana,

Well said, all of your last post! Here's one topic where I actually am an expert -- the Bible can be boiled down to two points: 1. Love one another and 2. Love God. That's it. Pretty amazing that those right-wingers are able to get hate out of that equation.

As for the answer to your question -- a real Christian actually follows the teachings of Christ and isn't stupid enough to read the Bible literally.

I'm guessing however that your question was stated as a joke, so I'm dying to hear the answer.

Emily

[EMW]

To follow up Kailana's comment, here are some really great parodies on the topic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYdD-Qc7lbY

There's more than just that one from the series.


Emily

[Kailana]

but pretty good, and no its not a joke, well not really, thier is an actual answer. But your gonna have to wait for it, Maybe tomorrow i'll post it.

oh just because i feel like it. I'll add a few hints/clues so people don't mention things that have nothing to do with christianity.

1. A True-Christian does not believe in Heaven; The belief in Heaven is a pagon belief.
2. A True-Christian does not believe in War.
3. A True-Christian does not Hate.
4. A True-Christian does not Lie.
5. A True-Christian does not cause another person to suffer.

ok its a short list, but it'll should help people understand something very very important. Answers coming tomorrow

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=Kailana;16189]

5. A True-Christian does not cause another person to suffer.

>>> not purposely anyway. But "suffering" is a very individual thing. pain is inevitable... but suffering is optional.

I don't "suffer" from CAH....

I deal with its consequences. It inhibits my fertility.

Is that "good"? or "bad"?

depends on whether i want children or not.

So do i "suffer" from infertility, or am i thankful i don't need BC pills to prevent pregnancy?

My daughter "suffers" for lack of her birth mother... if she misses me.

Suffers not at all, if she doesn't.

I made her "suffer" by giving her up. Or i did what was best for her. Other choices could have been made, but i believed she would have "suffered" more if i had kept her.

I gave her life instead of killing her, opening the gate for more suffering.

But, she seems to enjoy the life i've given her, the parents i picked, and they seem to have done a wonderful job raising her to believe that she is blessed indeed. :)

Anyone who would pity her for her "suffering" would be missing the joy...

and how very sad for THAT person, that would be.

PS....

I occassionally have to give injections to my clients... am i causing them to suffer? or am i enabling them to live... a happy healthy life at that? <<<

[Kailana]

to cause another to suffer,, means to actively force another to hurt, to intentionally cause them pain, whatever just because you can or if you are truely twisted because you get some form of enjoyment out of watching others suffer.

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=Kailana;16191]
just because you can or if you are truely twisted because you get some form of enjoyment out of watching others suffer.

>>> ok. a true christian is definately NOT a sadist. :)

1st corinthians 13 (the "love" chapter) has got a good list of what a true christian is.... and is NOT.

have to admit, i suck at not being rude. Hey miriam! i need to learn me some manners! ;)

[The Female Eunuch]

If you noticed it was the Christian right wing that was asking for a blanket ban on homosexuality. Ahh, if I am not mistaken, Christianity is not a Samoan cultural belief,

The Congregational Church of Samoa's variety of Christianity is as much a part of Samoan culture as any branch of Christianity is anywhere. Certainly Samoa wasn't a christian country 200 years ago, but everywhere where christianity is part of the culture has at some time in the past not been a christian country.

Incidentally, it's interesting to compare Samoa and the southern US, in light of the fact that they are both devoutly protestant. The southern US has the death penalty, because Moses said 'an eye for an eye'. Samoa doesn't execute people, because Moses said 'thou shalt not kill'.

Oh wait, alternative Remedy, Start your own Religion and Allow same sex Marriages in your Bible

I heard there's a group in Pennsylvania, called the Hicksite Quakers, who argue that the prohibition on same-sex marriage is a restriction of their religious freedom.

[The Female Eunuch]

"Do you know how to tell the difference between a True Christian and a Christian who thinks he/she is a True-Christian"

As far as I can tell, it's a matter of opinion. People at my church would say that it's about following the spirit of the teachings of Jesus the Christ. Many churches come from the viewpoint that christianity is about believing that jesus is The Christ that was predicted in hebrew writings, and that believing that he is the fulfilment of those prophecies is more important than what he actually said. Many people who call themselves 'christians' mean by that followers of the bible, but a theologian I know personally argues that this constitutes worshipping the bible as a false idol. Ultimately, christian is just a word that a whole lot of different groups of people use to describe themselves.

cheers,
Caroline

[The Female Eunuch]

by the way, I asked some Samoans today if they had heard of prostitution being a source of income for fa'afafine in Samoa. They said no, though one said he had heard of a fa'afafine working as a prostitute in New Zealand.

cheers,
Caroline

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=The Female Eunuch;16197]



I heard there's a group in Pennsylvania, called the Hicksite Quakers, who argue that the prohibition on same-sex marriage is a restriction of their religious freedom.

>>> ALL branches of Quakerism believe so... even the evangelical ones who have a hard time swallowing it.

Quakers... loving there gay children since the '50's :) <<<

[Kailana]

by the way, I asked some Samoans today if they had heard of prostitution being a source of income for fa'afafine in Samoa. They said no, though one said he had heard of a fa'afafine working as a prostitute in New Zealand.

cheers,
Caroline

I only mentioned prostitution as that is what was reported in the documentary on Fa-fafini.

I would also assume that is only relavent just as it is in our U.S. culture amonst both Gay, Dragqueens, and TS community oh wait and women and men. Most don't practive prostitution, but some do. If you were to ask a freind if you had heard of a woman who prostitutes herself, your friend would probably say they don't know any but have heard of someone who does. Does that then mean all women are prostitutes? Of course not, but how things are reported can lead too people not understanding what being Fa-fafini means.

[EMW]

[QUOTE=The Female Eunuch;16197]



I heard there's a group in Pennsylvania, called the Hicksite Quakers, who argue that the prohibition on same-sex marriage is a restriction of their religious freedom.

>>> ALL branches of Quakerism believe so... even the evangelical ones who have a hard time swallowing it.

Quakers... loving there gay children since the '50's :) <<<


Maria, you know I've been researching Quakerism and in this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker_views_of_homosexuality

which I read it appears that there are still some very conservative Quakers that do not feel that way.


Emily

[Kailana]

the original question:
"Do you know how to tell the difference between a True Christian and a Christian who thinks he/she is a True-Christian"?

the answer:
A True Christian, accepts people for who they are, and accepts others beliefs, because they understand what loving God actually means. A Christian who believes they are a True-Christian, tells people to Fear God, ignores everyone elses beliefs, and pushes a belief in Jesus Christ, to the point that they no longer Worship God, but instead Worship Jesus, the Son of God, as God; then go to the trouble of making sure everyone else who doesn't believe as they do learns from them, what it is to be a True-Christian.

Oh and just to remind people i am just a Christian, non-denominational, because while I won't claim being a True-Christian, i at least am smart enough to understand that a denomination just means I've been lead away from God, and instead been taught their beliefs in the bible.

Ever wonder why their are so many denomination's within Christianity? People with a difference in opinion on Christianity, and who couldn't accept each others beliefs, so made their own label to distinguish their own belief in the interrpretation of the Bible.

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=EMW;16204][QUOTE=fraulein_Maria;16202]


Maria, you know I've been researching Quakerism and in this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker_views_of_homosexuality

neither FUM nor FGC speaks for the majority of Quakers. Wikki is looking in the wrong places for anything authoritative. that can be found in the notes of the yearly meetings.

which I read it appears that there are still some very conservative Quakers that do not feel that way.

>>> that's true. we don't kick out the dinosaurs. we lovingly move past them, and hope that they will see the light before they die... but we do not abandon them to there hate......

because even those quakers KNOW that fundimentalism... legalism...literalism is wrong.

they cannot use the bible like other protestants do, because to us, the SPIRIT is the final authority... not a pope... and not a book.

they try... sadly. they keep trying....

But Quakerism as a whole has told the dinosaurs....

Friend, we love you... but the meeting has passed you by... and we will not let you bog down our meeting with a continual objection to what the spirit has plainly told the rest of us...

My meeting does not have a dinosaur on THIS issue... but it has one on another issue... so i am familiar with the gentleness with which the ornery are dealt with. the beauty of it is that some DO come around.... because we face there fear with love. :) <<<

[The Female Eunuch]

I said by the way, I asked some Samoans today if they had heard of prostitution being a source of income for fa'afafine in Samoa. They said no, though one said he had heard of a fa'afafine working as a prostitute in New Zealand.

I only mentioned prostitution as that is what was reported in the documentary on Fa-fafini.

I know, and I mentioned what some Samoans (the only ones I know well enough to ask) said in response to it. The point not being to say 'there are fa'afafine prostitutes in Samoa' or 'there aren't any', but just that Samoans don't equate Fa'afafine with proistitution at all. After the National Geographic 'exotic tribes' approach, I thought it was relevant to mention how some actual Samoans reacted to it.