Amao Leota Lu (born 1971) is aSamoanfa’afafine, who is a performance artist, poet and community activist.
Amao Leota Lu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1971 (age 53–54) |
| Nationality | Samoan |
| Occupation(s) | Performance artist, poet, LGBT rights activist |
Biography
editAmao Leota Lu was born in 1971 inAuckland,New Zealand. Her early years were spent there, before emigrating with some of her Samoan diaspora family toSydney in the 1980s.[1] She returned to Australia after a period away in her early twenties and it was during this time that she came to terms with her gender identity as a woman and as a fa'afafine.[2] She uses her performances to advocate for fa'afafine identity, particularly in resistance to western LGBT categorisations.[3] These performances are situated at the confluence of gender identity, Pacific culture and intersectionality.[4]
In 2020 she curated the very first queer Pacific event atMidsumma Festival in Melbourne, and performed there with an event entitledPacific Essence: Tales of a Migrant Plantation, which was staged at theImmigration Museum.[5] In 2019 she was part of the ensemble cast ofGender Euphoria, which was staged as part ofMelbourne International Arts Festival.[6] Her performances are part of a "cult phenomena" where queer perspectives are combined with "Indigenous knowledge-making".[7] Leota Lu is also outspoken about the discrimination that gender diverse members Pacific Islander communities still face.[3] Former occupations have included community support worker.[1]
References
edit- ^abAmao Leota Lu (5 September 2019)."Fa'afafine: All Hail the Queen (Samoan Sashay)".Archer Magazine. Retrieved17 June 2021.
- ^"Amao Leota Lu".Outings. Retrieved17 June 2021.
- ^abWeedon, Alan (31 August 2019)."Fa'afafine, fakaleitī, fakafifine — understanding the Pacific's alternative gender expressions".ABC News (Australia). Retrieved17 June 2021.
- ^"Amao Leota Lu".Transgender Warriors Local Hero Edition (Interview). Interviewed by Elkin, Sam; Gemma.Melbourne:JOY 94.9. 6 September 2019. Retrieved17 June 2021.
- ^Woodhead, Cameron (2 January 2020)."Midsumma 2020 promises queer culture in all its breadth and diversity".The Age. Retrieved17 June 2021.
- ^Woodhead, Cameron (16 October 2019)."A joyful and poignant celebration of difference".The Age. Retrieved17 June 2021.
- ^Pallotta-Chiarolli, Maria (24 September 2018).Living and Loving in Diversity: An anthology of Australian multicultural queer adventures.Wakefield Press. p. 22.ISBN 978-1-74305-595-3.