MEMBERS of sexual minority groups need the support of the community.
This is the gist of the first-ever march organised by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Fiji to promote their rights.
"Stop stereotyping, stop violence, stop the rejection, these people are valuable members of our society," said Oceania Pride founder and march organiser Jasmine Kaur.
The organisation, in collaboration with the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre and the Emerging Leaders Forum, has organised the march along Suva's main street tomorrow to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Ms Kaur said a permit had been allowed for the march and she urged communities to advocate for the rights of the members of "our communities who suffer these injustices".
The march will begin from the Suva Flea Market and end at Sukuna Park where the main celebrations will take place.
"We'll have people talking about sexuality and how we can help advocate for the needs of our friends that belong to these sexual minority groups," she said.
Ms Kaur said preparations for the march were completed although director of Police Operations SSP Rusiate Tudravu said they had not issued a permit for the march.
The day was first celebrated in the country last year when the Drodrolagi Movement ù droMo ù organised a panel discussion on the rights of gender and sexual minorities.
DroMo will conduct a similar type of event on the day at the University of the South Pacific.