ABSTRACT
The extreme paucity of resources on Pacific lesbian and gay literature is the result of at least two interlocking systems of exclusion. The first is the most obvious—the realities of racism, colonialism, and homophobia that determines who receives an adequate education, who is enabled to write and finally, is found worthy of publication. The second is a more subtle and profound difficulty that questions the terms and premises of racial (Pacific) and sexual (lesbian and gay) inclusion. “Pacific” is a compromise category, fully satisfying and offending no one, that is utilized both to recognize the historic similarities between its constituent groups and to consolidate their collective power. This essay therefore attempts to draw out some important complications and ambiguities involved in discussing “Same-Sex Sexuality in Pacific Literature.” The difficulties begin with our use of the label “Pacific” and continue through each component of the subject of our discussion.
