Sonya Apa Temata
Born
New Zealand
Occupation(s)Nurse; activist
Known forCampaigning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Cook Islands

Sonya Apa Temata is a takataapui human rights activist and nurse of Cook Islander, Māori and Tahitian descent.[1] She specialises in advocacy for the LGBT+ community in Oceania.[2] She has spoken out about how the criminalisation of gay men is a legacy of British colonialism in the Pacific.[3][4]

In 2020 Temata organised a petition in support of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Cooks Islands, which was presented by the Te Tiare Association to the Government of the Cook Islands, who were considering repealing the law.[3][5]

Temata is a former board member of Auckland Pride.[6]

Awards

  • Winner - Pacific Health Volunteer Individual Awards (2018)[7]

References

  1. ↑ Chumko, Andre (2020-10-01). "Cook Islands defers decision on decriminalising gay sex". Stuff. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  2. ↑ "Sonya Apa Temata". Auckland Pride Festival 2019. 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  3. 1 2 "Cooks Islands rainbow community lobbies for constitutional rights". RNZ. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  4. ↑ "'Listen to our voices': Pasifika protest over anti-gay laws at pride march". RNZ. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  5. ↑ "Cook Islands | Pacific Sexual & Gender Diversity Network | Suva". PSGDN. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  6. ↑ "Cooks Islands rainbow community lobbies for constitutional rights". RNZ. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  7. ↑ "2018 Minister of Health Volunteer Award recipients". Ministry of Health NZ. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
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