The Cook Islands is a tiny country made up of 15 islands with a total population of 15,000 people located in the South Pacific. For years they’ve had laws that declared an offence of an indecent act between males could result in a five-year jail term, or people who allowed ‘indecent acts between males’ on their premises, risked up to ten years jail time – but last week that all changed.

It was a day of celebration in Cook Islands for LGBTIQ+ people following the passing of the Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 which, among other things, decriminalises homosexuality.

To tell us more about this, Rach & Dean were joined on the line by the President of Pride Cook Islands, Karla Eggelton to talk about what it means to the country and the people who live there.