Football transcends all stigma (ft. Jaiyah Saelua)

Humans United FC

"Fa'afafine is such a part of our culture we don't feel the need to explain it. It's a coming of age story as opposed to a 'coming out' story others in the rainbow community have."
These are the words of Jaiyah Saelua as she details what it means to be fa'afafine and the first ever transgender athlete to play in a World Cup Qualifying match back in 2011 for American Samoa.
Though, Thomas Rongen received all the headlines when he lead that American Samoa team to their 2-1 WCQ victory over Tonga, there was another story developing at the same time. Though it was covered in the 2014 documentary 'Next Goal Wins', it's featured much more prominently in the 2023 film based on the documentary of the same name and it's brought Jaiyah back into the discussion.
In this episode of the podcast, Jaiyah shares her perspective of that 2011 win, her fa'afafine identity, and how we can continue to unite people through football.
Enjoy!
*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*
Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.
Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.
We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.
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