Samoa Breweries Limited has continued its support for the National Fa'afafine Pageant through a $10,000 donation.

General Manager of Samoa Breweries, Brent Adams, said they have always been a strong supporter of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (L.G.B.T.Q.) community in Samoa.

“We have been proud sponsors of the beauty pageant for five years and we commend the Samoa Fa'afafine Association’s (S.F.A.) theme of ending all forms of violence, stigma and discrimination," he said. "We are proud to be part of the group.

“The key element of enabling the S.F.A. to increase their voice for those key concerns and issues so that members of the community can be better as a result of it and also we think it is a worthy cause to contribute to.”

President of S.F.A., Alex Su’a, said their pageant relies on assistance from the business community and they are very grateful for their support.

“The message or theme of our pageant is ending violence against women and girls, stigma targeting marginalised and vulnerable communities (including people living with HIV/AIDS), and discrimination due to a person’s gender, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic standing within the community,” he said.

He stated that there is evidence that showcase a lot of alcohol has been a contributing factor to rape cases or assault. 

“Samoa Breweries Limited being one of the breweries in Samoa but supports the message we are sending out but it also coincides with the message that the their company is trying to endorse that when drinking alcohol, enjoy responsibly for our community.

“But we also appreciate that these big companies are very supportive of our cause.”

Mr. Sua also said that some of the funds will be given to the Home of the Elderly, Mapuifagalele.

“But we have witnessed that with every year the expenses of our preparations for the pageant and that is because of the cost of living and the way we do things because with the more sponsors, we have a responsibility to present it well.”

The pageant will be held at the Gym 1, Tuanaimato on the evening of August 30.