Faʻafafine

Uncommon card · No. 107664

Faʻafāfine (Samoan pronunciation: [faʔafafine]; lit. 'in the manner of a woman') are natal males who align with a third gender or feminine gender role in the Sāmoan Islands. Faʻafāfine are not assigned the role at birth, nor raised as girls due to a lack of daughters, as is often claimed in western media. Rather, their femininity emerges in early childhood, and Sāmoans recognize them as distinct from typical boys. Faʻafāfine are androphilic (attracted to males) and are usually very feminine. They comprise up to 3.5% of the natal male population, similar to the number of androphilic natal males in the west. Most self-identify as faʻafāfine, rather than men, while a small number identify as women. However, they recognize that they are distinct from females. Faʻafāfine enjoy relatively high levels of acceptance in Sāmoa. They can be seen in all areas of Sāmoan society, whether assisting as caregivers or working in government. Sāmoa's former Prime Minister Malielegaoi spoke publicly about...

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