Fiji Rugby Director's Comments on Same-Sex Relationships in Women's Rugby Spark Backlash

Fiji Rugby Union’s newly appointed Rugby Director, Laijipa Naulivou, has drawn criticism following her remarks on same-sex relationships in women’s rugby. Speaking to the Fiji Sun, Naulivou made it clear that she does "not condone being gay for women in rugby," a stance she maintained throughout her playing and managerial career.

"Those who played with me know that I do not condone being gay for women in rugby," she told the Fiji Sun. "I always speak against it and I know I’m very unpopular in that area with those who practice it. I will keep emphasising it because that was one big drawback when we went to the first HSBC sevens tournament."

Naulivou, who captained Fiji’s first women’s rugby team, reflected on her past experiences in the sport. She recalled joining the national women’s team as manager three weeks before a major tournament and claimed that same-sex relationships had created challenges within the squad.

"This was one area that we had to fight against so when I came back, I wrote my report and that was my recommendation that we take away the coach and those involved," she told the Fiji Sun. "We do a fresh fair trial and a panel to pick the team. This was better instead of a person who practices lesbianism being up there and choosing her people. To me that is unethical and it’s not right."

Reaction from Women's Rights Advocates

Her shocking comments have sparked backlash, with women’s rights groups in Fiji condemning her remarks. The Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) strongly opposed Naulivou’s stance, with executive director Nalini Singh calling it "deeply troubling."

"The notion that being gay is a 'problem' in women's rugby is deeply troubling and perpetuates harmful stereotypes that have no place in modern sports or society," Singh stated.

She further criticised the focus on players’ personal lives rather than structural challenges within the sport: "Rather than focusing your efforts on the sexuality of the players, you do your job and look for adequate funding and provide for the well-being of the women rugby players so that they don't have to sleep on benches in front of airports and walk miles to their training."

LGBTQ+ Rights in the Pacific

Naulivou’s comments have ignited discussions about homophobia in the Pacific, a region where LGBTQ+ rights remain a complex and evolving issue. While some nations have made strides towards inclusivity, others continue to uphold conservative values that marginalise LGBTQ+ individuals.

In April 2023, the Cook Islands decriminalised consensual same-sex relationships, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the Pacific. The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 was passed, repealing provisions in the Crimes Act that imposed jail terms of up to five years for individuals engaging in same-sex activities.

Despite such progress, challenges persist across the region. A report by Reuters highlighted that, even with the Cook Islands' recent legal changes, LGBTQ+ individuals in many Pacific Island nations still lack basic protections and face significant societal stigma.

The contrast between Naulivou’s remarks and the advancements in countries like the Cook Islands underscores the ongoing divide in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in the Pacific. While some nations are moving towards equality, others remain deeply entrenched in traditional views that often exclude and stigmatise LGBTQ+ communities.

Fiji Rugby Union doubles down

Despite the controversy, FRU board chairman John Sanday reaffirmed the board’s confidence in Naulivou’s abilities.

"She’s of great standing, and we respect that. She’s also had involvement with hockey, so she’s no stranger to sport and elite performance," Sanday said. "We respect her knowledge and her experience, and we look forward to her contribution and working together to build rugby and to build it to Tier One status."

Naulivou, meanwhile, expressed her belief that Fiji’s women’s rugby team could improve if changes were made to selection processes.

"We should have a proper selection panel, maybe we should get independent people who are into rugby to be in the panel instead of those people from the union because they will focus on their own members," she said. "We should take people on merit, not just who you know. If everything is done cleanly, we’ll reap the harvest for that."

While Naulivou’s comments have been met with sharp criticism, her future actions in her role as Rugby Director will determine how the FRU navigates the growing debate surrounding inclusivity in the sport.

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By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
Arts & Culture Journalist Destiny Momoiseā