Winning  the Youth of the Year award has inspired Etika Naqio to pursue his dreams of becoming a successful person in life.

The Disability Gala Awards was held at Holiday Inn Suva on Saturday March 8 to recognise six winners.

Mr Naqio said being deaf and a transgender made people look at him in a disgusted manner.

“I feel so proud taking this award home and proving people wrong. Despite my disability I was able to receive an award. This success has given me a much-needed boost,” he said.

“Being a transgender in the society is difficult because I am always being discriminated against. I involve myself in awareness programmes to motivate other transgender women out there.”

Mr Naqio, who actively takes part in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender programmes, lives at Vatuwaqa, Suva.

“My motive is to raise awareness for people like me because if there is no support then it might lead to depression,” he said.

“Stress and depression can also lead to suicide. We need to support the LGBT community.

“I have gone through those hard phases in life and now I can help other disabled people through my experiences. Relating to problems and giving solutions has become easy for me.”

He added the Gala awards were a good initiative to recognise people like him because society usually didn’t appreciate them.

Mr Naqio thanked everyone who supported him in his life and people who helped him achieve the award.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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