Gender in Oceania: Island Identities

Literally 'in the manner of a woman.' Assigned-male Samoans who embody feminine roles within the family and community; recognized as a distinct gender.

The masculine counterpart to fa'afafine — assigned-female Samoans living in the manner of a man.

Tongan third-gender people, with their own national association and an annual Miss Galaxy pageant celebrating leiti culture.

Precolonial Polynesian category 'in the middle' of male and female; traditionally keepers of cultural knowledge, hula, and healing.

Cook Islands Māori term for trans-feminine and third-gender people; today a marker of community pride.

Indigenous Fijian assigned-male people who live as women, historically integrated into village life.

Contemporary terms used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trans women (sistergirls) and trans men (brotherboys), with distinct cultural histories from settler trans identity.

A community term used by some assigned-male Papuans for trans-feminine identity, particularly around the Port Moresby region.