Rae-rae
Rae-rae are transfeminine people in Tahitian culture related to Māhū (meaning "in the middle"), a gender category in Polynesia.
History
Connection to French military presence and sex work
The development of the Rae-Rae identity coincided with the opening of Fa‘a‘a International Airport and the establishment of the Centre d’Expérimentation du Pacifique (CEP) for nuclear testing, which brought an influx of military personnel and tourists to French Polynesia.[1] This influx led to a booming sex trade, prompting Māhū to adopt a more feminine appearance to attract Frenchmen, thus leading to the distinction of Rae-Rae from traditional Māhū.[2]
In Polynesian Society
Comparison with Māhū identity
Place within French Polynesian society
Relationships with Families
Family support is crucial for both Māhū and Rae-Rae individuals in Polynesian society, with Māhū generally experiencing tolerance while Rae-Rae often face rejection and expulsion from their homes.[2] Rae-Rae encounter significant challenges within conservative or religious families, exacerbated by a prevalent belief among older generations that prostitution is their only viable future.[2]