The title of this recording is "Ken Moala". It is described as: Ken Moala from Samoa talks about attending the human rights conference. It was recorded in Wellington Town Hall, 101 Wakefield Street, Wellington on the 16th March 2011. Ken Moala is being interviewed by Jim Whitman.  Their names are spelt correctly but may appear incorrectly spelt later in the document. The duration of the recording is 13 minutes. A list of correctly spelt content keywords and tags can be found at the end of this document. A brief description of the recording is: In this podcast Ken Moala from Samoa talks about attending the human rights conference. The content in the recording covers the 2010s decade. A brief summary of the recording is: In this podcast, recorded at the Wellington Town Hall on March 16, 2011, Samoan native Ken Moala discusses their involvement in activism across gay, lesbian, and transgender communities, and participation in a human rights conference. Moala, a co-founder of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network established in 2007 in Samoa, expresses the significance of an ongoing human rights dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region. Moala resides in the Gold Coast, Australia, and took on a multifaceted role at the conference as both a volunteer and an attendee with specific interests. Moala reflects on the conference, describing it as a historic event for bringing together the Asia Pacific regions more intimately than before. They applaud the initiative of the conference in overcoming financial and geographical barriers to ensure participation from the Pacific, a previously challenging endeavor due to high travel and accommodation costs. The human rights sessions sparked inspirational discussions and Moala commends the organizers for selecting diverse and informed keynote speakers. A particular emphasis is placed on equal representation from countries in Asia, the Pacific, and Australasia. These diverse perspectives are essential for addressing issues specific to each region, according to Moala. They suggest an independent continuity for the Human Rights Conference beyond the scope of the 'out games', proposing that it could occur biennially ensuring ongoing dialogue on human rights advancements in each nation. Moala stresses the importance of action, advocating for proactive measures against persecution by authorities in certain countries. They also highlight the need for a comprehensive database or network for activists to maintain regular communication outside of conferences. Sharing information continuously is seen as crucial to unity and advocacy momentum. During the interview, the topic of self-identification in the context of sexuality, gender, and spiritual positioning is discussed. Moala identifies within the Samoan cultural and spiritual context, emphasizing the importance of respect and self-definition within and outside the gay community. They acknowledge the complexity within groups such as the intersex and transgender communities, evidenced by participation in various conference sessions. The conversation shifts to the influence of personal presence and storytelling over textual information in affirming and sharing identity. Moala believes in the power of personal narratives to promote pride and ensure that each group within the broader LGBTQ+ community is recognized and respected. Sharing personal takeaways, Moala values their volunteer experience which provided broader insights than those typically gained as a delegate. They witnessed not only competitive sport but also camaraderie and a unifying spirit among participants, transcending the goal of winning alone. Finally, Moala touches on the multidimensional nature of the events, which included sports, socializing, and knowledge sharing. They advocate for the inclusion of spiritual activities that nourish the soul alongside physical and mental well-being. Overall, Moala's reflections encompass the need for holistic approaches to the well-being and rights of the LGBTQ+ community, underpinned by regular communication and comprehensive representation on an international stage. The full transcription of the recording follows.  It includes timestamps every thirty seconds in the format [HH:MM:SS].  The transcription begins:  My name is Ken Moala. Um, I'm originally from Samoa, and, um, my background to do with, um, gay and lesbian and transgender activism is that I am a, um co-founder of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network, which started in 2007 in Samoa, and that reaches out to the countries of the Pacific. Um, promoting [00:00:30] a, um, men who of men transgender, um, and issues relating to, um, the communities, the different communities throughout the Pacific. Um, now, the reason why I'm here is actually I now reside in the Gold Coast in Australia. Um, I decided to come over and assist, uh, being a volunteer, but also to attend some of the sessions at the conference, [00:01:00] which I have particular interest. Um, what I had, actually, my impressions of the conference itself are quite varied. I think this is This is actually a a an historic moment in the in the fact that it's been able to bring Asia Pacific regions together on a more intimate, um, basis, Um, [00:01:30] before we used to turn conferences in, um, Australasia and and and further, a field in in Asia and the Pacific Representatives was very few and far between because of the fact of the geographical implications. Um, financial implications are just too far and too expensive to get to where the conference has been held. And I applaud the conference for [00:02:00] the initiative they've taken to identify funding to bring over participants from the Pacific because that has been one of the overwhelming challenges through travel and accommodation. Um, but more on on issues to do with human rights, it is really good to to share, um, various achievements and challenges on certain issues such as human rights throughout the [00:02:30] region. Now, um, it has been really inspiring to listen to to keynote speakers. And I compliment the organisers on on on identifying, um, excellent speakers from various and varied backgrounds and who have expertise in on the issues that they spoke about. Um, so I, I really commend, [00:03:00] um, the the conference organisers on on that account. Um, but we need to have some of the recommendations I have in mind is, uh, these are just suggestions. Um, you can do what you want with them, but I do believe, as was brought up by one of the keynote speakers this morning, that there needs to be equal representation throughout the region, from Asia, from Pacific from Australasia [00:03:30] to ensure that there is a balanced, um, perspective from the different regions in order to ensure that the the issues pertaining to those areas are well addressed and and aired in this open forum. Um, I have another recommendations which I feel is very important. There should be a continuation of this [00:04:00] human rights conference. Uh, I don't know what the future of the out games are there. They're looking for the next host country and also possibly to, um, move further field and amalgamate out games for the Gay Games, which which hopefully in 2018 this this occurs. But I'd like to suggest that there is a continuance of the Human Rights Conference irrespective [00:04:30] of the out games, um, mechanism, because we don't know exactly what the future is and if possible, they can be maybe, um, by annually maybe every two years that we hold conference. But it's important that the Asia Pacific region are constantly updated on what has been done with human rights in the respective countries. So that's that's one of my recommendations regarding the conference. [00:05:00] Um, there, there, there are also other issues. It it's good to come and get together and and and talk and discuss about these issues, but I'd like to see a bit more action done. You know, this conference ends up to be like a talk fest, and we need to address certain issues. Um, such as persecution of the authorities in certain [00:05:30] countries of the region. We need to be more proactive and and and and and in ensuring that there there is a continued activism of human rights throughout the region. And there needs to be a database also for a network to be, uh, set up. So we can actually, if we're not meeting at conferences, we can [00:06:00] be constant dialogue through through, um, through online, um, and other means of communication. But I think that that we need to share, you know, not see each other every two years or so, but constantly emailing information throughout and have one big database that we can actually share our our thoughts on the issue. It was an interesting discussion this morning. I don't know whether [00:06:30] you were there. I was there Pacific people saying, Well, a speaker saying, um, that there are half a dozen words at least, Or names at least, that people have for a range of approaches to sexuality, gender, spirituality, position in society. Um, can I ask how how you identify yourself? It depends what context that you're referring to. [00:07:00] Um, so as a as a as a sam or male man, um, I consider myself very much a, um that word is encompasses. Um uh, to me encompasses a lot. I don't dress up as a as a woman. Um, and like one speaker said before, I mean, you know, I don't look good and drag, [00:07:30] but I do embrace the the whole concept of it, uh, realising that in in Samoa or in other Polynesian countries, this is very much a cultural and a spiritual, uh, entity. Um, So in that in that in that, um uh, stance, I think we need to respect. Um, exactly. Well, I feel is very, very dear to my heart. Um, [00:08:00] so, yes, that's That's how I would look at it in that respect. Yes, that's a That's an important statement. It's attained a pro A prominence. Yes. Because of this morning. Moderation of the last couple of days. Yes, Well, it identifies who are We need to define ourselves in light of of of the world we live in, and especially with the gay world. I know there's a lot of, [00:08:30] um, definitions and a lot of groupings within with 11 big group. But I think each grouping deserves their own place in the sun, their own. And we need to respect that. Um, like, I was at a session with intersex. Personally, I have I have not, um, had a lot of experience with that, but just, um, attending that it actually made [00:09:00] me more aware of their situation. So we need to understand that sometimes we glibly state Oh, we're all gay. But we're not. There are different divisions. I mean, transgender, for instance. Um, that itself is is is quite complex in itself. This conference has brought people here. Yes. Do you think people believe what they read? Or do they need people to tell them straight to their [00:09:30] face? Definitely. Definitely. I mean, we're all proud of who we are. We're proud to be gay. We're proud to be lesbian. Uh, we need to actually assert this this pride and and and all our all our definitions and I think it's important to to ensure that we although we come under the one umbrella as one speaker said the under the rainbow, we need to to feel that we do belong in that sense. And this world is diverse [00:10:00] and and colourful and so we need to incorporate this and and ensure that everybody is is treated equally. So yes, yes, I feel this is very important. Great. Are you going to take any one thing away with you personally or in terms of your volunteer involvement? Oh, yes, Yes. II. I thought it was great to be a volunteer. Sometimes, as as a delegate, [00:10:30] you only see certain things. But I've seen a lot of things like I was at the the football soccer tournament and it was good to see the, um the different countries, the spirit of competitors was there. But overriding all that it was a camaraderie and and coming together the different, uh, areas. But it wasn't about winning. Everybody's a winner. It was just coming together and being a whole [00:11:00] spirit of unity that I sense in in that sort of field and volunteering, I think everybody should do that. It's it's not. You're actually giving back, um, to your community, and I want to thank the organisers for accepting it, because I I don't I don't live in Wellington, but I just felt that I was richly blessed by being part of of the, um, whole out games [00:11:30] and especially the conference. And it was just been a real joy. There's the three pillars that talked about, Um, I can't actually remember all of them, But there's the human rights And, yeah, there's the sort of, um, the recreational sporting Yes, um, they do seem to share those two. Yes, if you if you can be decent and together and share on the playing field, Well, there's there's to me. What I I have experienced, [00:12:00] uh, has been the the the recreation of the sports. There's been the social, um um aspect, and then with with With the conference has been the knowledge that's that's been shared. But there's also there's one thing II I really like to emphasise that needs to be the spiritual. You know, we can look after the physical and the mental, and but we need to look after the soul, and I think this is This is time, [00:12:30] You know that we need to have activities surrounding, you know, the whole emphasis. I know we talked about in some aspects of the, uh, the, uh the conference, but there also needs to be activities. Um, that that really looks into, um and this is what I am really interested in on a personal level. Such as? Well being, Um um, knowing your karma yoga, [00:13:00] Um, ensuring that that your whole attitude is right, so you can actually share this. And so these are one of my recommendations to to the games is to ensure that we cover all aspects of our being not just the social, the the recreation and, you know, your your head knowledge, but also our spiritual side of it. The full transcription of the recording ends. A list of keywords/tags describing the recording follow. These tags contain the correct spellings of names and places which may have been incorrectly spelt earlier in the document. The tags are seperated by a semi-colon: 2010s ; Asia Pacific Outgames (2011) ; Australia ; Gay Games ; Ken Moala ; Pacific ; People ; Samoa ; Wellington ; Wellington Town Hall ; activism ; activities ; attitude ; circus ; communication ; community ; conference ; difference ; diversity ; drag ; face ; fashion ; football ; forum ; funding ; future ; gay ; gender ; human rights ; intersex ; knowledge ; lesbian ; march ; other ; persecution ; power ; rainbow ; regions ; representation ; respect ; sex ; sexuality ; soccer ; social ; soul ; spirituality ; straight ; time ; transgender ; transgender activism ; travel ; volunteer ; yoga. The original recording can be heard at this website https://www.pridenz.com/apog_ken_moala.html. The master recording is also archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.  For more details visit their website https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.1089461. Ken Moala also features audibly in the following recordings: "ILGA scholars plenary - Proud 2016", "Pacific Human Rights Conference outcomes - Proud 2016" and "Pacific Health and Spirituality - Proud 2016". Please note that this document may contain errors or omissions - you should always refer back to the original recording to confirm content.