PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - Tatryanna Utanga

Tatryanna Utanga

Student/Advocate/Dancer

Cook Island 

Tatryanna is currently an Arts student at the University of Auckland.  She is of Cook Islands descent and is very proud of her culture. She comes from a very small family of 5 and insists that family is her number one priority.  

One of her greatest accomplishments was forming the all akavaine/fafafine/fakaleiti dance group the Diamonds of Paradise.  A group of young, passionate individuals coming together and showcasing their talent on an entertainment platform. Through performing and teaching her culture alongside her akavaine sisters, she discovered a new passion, to advocate for her Cook Islands and Pacific LGBTQI community.

These days she actively engages in advocacy for young people particularly those who identify as LGBTQI. Through dedication and hard work, she has enjoyed the many opportunities that has come along her way including holding the title of the reigning Miss Jewel Cook Islands 2016-2018.  Tatryanna hopes to inspire young akavaine to aim high and dream big and that hard work eventually, always pays off! 

 

How and when did you "come out" to your family? 

I didn't really have a proper “sit down” moment with my family to discuss it. I guess everyone just kind of already knew. I was always so eloquent and flambuoyant that it wasn't very hard to miss!

 

 

What’s the coolest thing about being a part of the Pasifika LGBTQIA community today? 

The coolest thing about being a part of the Pasefika LGBTQIA community today is that no matter which Pacific island we come from, there is this unseen, beatiful connection that we instantly have with one another. When I meet another Pacific LGBTQIA brother or sister I feel like I've known them for a long time and it feels like family. How cool is that?!

What has been the most challenging part of your journey? 

The most challenging part for me was keeping it real. Sometimes I would change some things about me or dive into different characters just to fit in with whats acceptable and considered normal that I lost myself in the process. Now it's very important to me to be myself regardless of what others like.

 

What advice would you give to young Pacific Islanders who are still finding themselves? 

It's a piece of advice that I repeat to myself when I'm feeling down: Don't change yourself to suit or to be more appealing to others. Of the 6 billion people on this earth, someone will love you for who you are.There's someone out there for everyone!

 

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