ILGA Oceania statement on the passing of Isikeli Vulavou

ILGA Oceania mourns the passing of Isikeli Vulavou, a visionary leader, fearless advocate, and unwavering champion for PIDSOGIESC+ rights across the Pacific. As the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) and the founder of the Rainbow Pride Foundation, Isikeli dedicated their life to advancing justice, equality, and dignity for all.

Isikeli’s leadership extended beyond advocacy; they were a driving force in shaping regional and global strategies for decriminalisation, policy reform, and human rights protections.

As a key figure in the Global LGBT Decriminalisation by 2030 project, Isikeli ensured that Pacific voices and priorities remained central in efforts to overturn colonial-era criminalisation laws, prevent persecution based on sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. More, gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. More and expression, and sex characteristicsa term that refers to physical features relating to sex - including genitalia and other sexual and reproductive anatomy, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary physical features emerging from puberty. More (SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. More), and uphold hard-won legal protections.

Through PSGDN’s partnership with ILGA Oceania and ILGA World, Isikeli worked tirelessly to empower national organisations and activists, fostering solidarity, resilience, and a vision for a more just and inclusive future.

Beyond their professional achievements, Isikeli will be remembered for their wisdom, kindness, and deep love. They had an extraordinary ability to uplift others, creating spaces of belonging and strength for communities too often marginalised. Isikeli’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of advocates and leaders across Te Moana Nui.

We extend our deepest condolences to Isikeli’s whānau, the family of PSGDN and the Rainbow Pride Foundation, and all whose lives they touched. In this time of mourning, we honor Isikeli’s remarkable contributions and reaffirm our commitment to continuing the vital work they championed.

Moce mada, na turaga vakaturaga. Na nomu rarama ena sega ni boko.
Rest well, esteemed leader. Your light will never fade.

Margherita Coppolino and Ratu Eroni Ledua Dina (Rhonda)
Co-Chairs, ILGA Oceania