In Kiribati, it’s a crime to engage in same-sex sexual activity. Tebeio Tamton, an I-Kiribati LGBTQ+ advocate, is part of a passionate group working to change that and more at home.

Tebeio co-founded BIMBA, an acronym for Boutokaan Inaomataia ao Mauriia Binabinaine Association.

“Which directly translates as an association to support and safeguard the human dignities/rights and health/safety of binabinaine,” Tebeio told The Husk. “Binabinaine is an I-Kiribati word for those who identify as gay boys/men, bisexual boys/men and transgender girls/women.”

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It was founded in 2016, and there are no other organizations like it in Kiribati, Tebeio said.

Tebeio is from the island of Beru, which is in the southern part of the Gilbert Islands. The 35-year-old BIMBA co-founder is also from Tarawa, which is in the central part of the Gilbert Islands and is the capital of Kiribati.

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Kiribati has 33 coral islands among three island groups, which are the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands. Twenty-one islands are inhabited. It’s the only country in the world that straddles all four hemispheres of the Earth, and it’s home to more than 131,000 people.

Tebeio cites his personal experience as one of the many reasons he felt called to work with his community to launch BIMBA.

“Growing up in the closet and navigating my diverse (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) without the support of families, friends and the public services” was one reason behind building BIMBA, Tebeio said. Navigating that part of his life was particularly challenging during his teen years.

“Plus the usual bullying, harassment and lack of acceptance within my own circles — families, schools, churches, etc.,” Tebeio added.

This coupled with the criminalization of homosexuality in Kiribati, discrimination and violence against binabinaine and the lack of sensitization to diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) spurred Tebeio to act.

Tebeio pointed out that Kiribati has on its books a 15-year prison sentence for same-sex acts if caught and convicted.

“There is no evidence of it being enforced but it remains a piece of legislation that could validate people’s acts of discrimination, stigmatization, marginalization and violence towards us,” Tebeio said.

Since BIMBA launched, the community and acceptance in Kiribati have grown.

“I would say it’s around 200-plus, and the most prominent members are transgender girls/women,” Tebeio said. “There are hardly any gay or bisexual community members. In terms of acceptance, the families and friends of binabinaine in Kiribati are more accepting and respectful of our community back home, because of the sensitization and their familiarity with people with diverse SOGIE.”

Tebeio urged those looking to support BIMBA’s efforts to first deepen their understanding and awareness about people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.

“It is important to learn about their lived experiences, (their) challenges and struggles. Only when people acknowledge and appreciate this, will they start supporting BIMBA,” Tebeio said.

To other Micronesians who want to follow in BIMBA’s footsteps and fight for LGBTIQ rights in their community, Tebeio offers this sage advice, “Advocacy and awareness about LGBTIQ in Micronesia is not always about adopting and entertaining Western ideals.”

“This is because, for most of us, it is about acknowledging and appreciating our human rights, our rights to be part of our families, villages, communities, and islands,” he added. “Also, when advocating for the rights of people with diverse (sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics),  whether it be dialogues, pageants, roadshows, workshops, and whatnot, always remember to add humility, respect, and love to your work!”

‘Being a binabinaine does not make you less I-Kiribati’

To LGBTQ+ youth in Kiribati, Tebeio said being binabinaine is not something to be ashamed of.

“Being a binabinaine does not make you less I-Kiribati and being less masculine and more feminine while being able to master what girls/women do in our society does not make you weak. Essentially, it is a clear sign of being strong and resilient,” he said. “It is a gift that needs to be appreciated and valued, and this is why in Kiribati, a closet is never part of our culture and tradition.”

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BIMBA’s achievements

At home, BIMBA has become the umbrella organization for the LGBTQ+ community. Kiribati’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services; Ministry of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs; Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs; Office of Te Beretitenti; Ministry of Justice; and others like the Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) and other nonprofit organizations recognize BIMBA’s work around Kiribati.

BIMBA has also been recognized internationally for its efforts in fighting for equality.

“BIMBA works primarily in Kiribati, but it is also a member of regional and international bodies that include the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN), the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association (ILGA) Oceania, ILGA World, The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), and others,” Tebeio said. “As such, certain parts of its work could contribute to regional and global movements for the rights of people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.”

Since launching, BIMBA has deployed a number of strategies to advance its mission.

The group secured a sizable five-year grant to fuel their local and regional efforts. BIMBA also contributed to the 3^rd Pacific Human Rights Conference for SOCIESC in 2023. Tebeio was also a member of the organizing committee as a representative of his country and the association. The group has held contests on social media calling on binabinaine to share their stories. In 2020, BIMBA launched an advocacy song in line with Pride Month in 2020 and with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia.

The advocacy song, “BIMBA Rhythm,” has been shared on YouTube.

In 2017, BIMBA organized a beauty pageant for transgender contestants. Two Naoero (Nauruan) contestants also participated. BIMBA has continued to host the pageant every other year since then, and Tebeio said the pageant’s success has given way to conversations about possible expansion.

“There have been conversations around a Micronesian beauty pageant for binabinaine or transgender girls/women, so for sure this is on the horizon — and who knows, Pohnpei or Guam could be hosting it?” Tebeio quipped.  

Last year, the group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kiribati Institute of Technology. With this MOU in place, BIMBA is raising awareness about diverse sexual orientations and gender identity and expression with students, according to Tebeio. “For instance, BIMBA is currently engaged in conducting workshops for aspiring aged-care workers who are trained within KIT prior to their overseas travel to work in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

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Support BIMBA

Find the organization on Facebook to follow along with their valuable work in the community: https://www.facebook.com/bimbakiribati.