This study examines the differently gendered Samoan people known as Fa'afafine and Fa'afatama, exploring their history, their early challenges and their day-to-day experiences as they negotiate a greater level of acceptance in contemporary Samoan society. Findings from this study were reported in a paper presented at the World Association for Sexology (WAS) conference in Havana, Cuba in March 2003. The documentary, South Seas Sisters: The Fa'afafine and Fa'afatama of Samoa, filmed on location during this study, is currently available.