While French Polynesia tends to be more socially conservative, it has become more accepting and tolerant of LGBT people in recent years. In 2009, the first LGBT organization (called "Cousins Cousines") was founded in the territory, and the first LGBT event was also held that same year. Furthermore, French Polynesian society has a long tradition of raising some boys as girls to play important domestic roles in communal life (including dancing, singing and house chores). Such individuals are known as the "māhū", and are perceived by society as belonging to a third gender. This is similar to the "fa'afafine" of Samoa and the "whakawāhine" of New Zealand. Historically, the would hold important positions among nobles, and unlike eunuchs were not castrated. The Tahitian term , on the other hand, refers to modern-day transsexuals who undergo medical operations to change gender. and are not to be confused, as the former is a cultural and traditional recognized Polynesian identity, while the latter encompasses contemporary transgender identity.