Who we are

Nuanua Collective’s history begins with our co-founders, Ma’afu Suliafu and Lauren To’omalatai, who hosted the very first Nuanua Collective gathering in December 2019. The duo met as volunteers in the Pacific Islander community organizing space and used their shared knowledge and experience in community building to create a space specifically for LGBTQ+ Pacific Islanders.

Nuanua means “rainbow” in Samoan and calls to mind the standard rainbow associated with the LGBTQ+ community but with a Pacific Islander focus. Nuanua operates with our indigenous culture and beliefs at the forefront which includes honor our traditional sexual and gender identities as MVPFAFF+.

Since that initial meeting, Nuanua has steadily grown and expanded— propelled by the belief that all of our struggles are interconnected, resulting in Nuanua not only serving as a social and support group but also service and outreach with the wider QTBIPOC community.

Our collective is led by, and for, Queer and Trans People of Color. The events and initiatives that we host and partake in are all rooted in a deep love for our community and recognizing the need for spaces that are built with intention.