Trailblazing transgender MP Georgina Beyer dies aged 65

By MiNDFOOD

<em>Labour MP Georgina Beyer speaks in favour of his Civil Union Bill in the Debating Chamber, Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, June 24, 2004. The Bill will now pass onto the select committee stage. FOTOPRESS/Ross Setford</em>
Labour MP Georgina Beyer speaks in favour of his Civil Union Bill in the Debating Chamber, Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, June 24, 2004. The Bill will now pass onto the select committee stage. FOTOPRESS/Ross Setford
The New Zealand politician was the the world's first openly transgender MP and mayor. 

Georgina Beyer has passed away at the age of 65, after a long illness. She died at Mary Potter Hospital in Wellington surrounded by loved ones, shared friends Scott Kennedy and Malcolm Vaughan.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the sad news that Georgina Beyer, the world’s first openly transgender MP, national taonga, former Mayor of Carterton, Labour MP, activist, dearest friend and rainbow legend, passed away peacefully at Mary Potter Hospice, today,” the owners of S&M’s Cocktail Bar, Scott Kennedy and Malcolm Vaughan said in a message to the LGBTIQA+ community and close whanau.

“Georgie was surrounded by her nearest and dearest 24/7 over the past week, she accepted what was happening, was cracking jokes and had a twinkle in her eye, right to the final moments.”

Beyer was a trailblazing politician who attracted worldwide attention as the world’s first openly transgender mayor and MP.

Beyer served as mayor of Carterton from 1995-2000 and was a Labour MP for Wairarapa between 199-2005.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has joined in the tributes to Beyer, saying that she made a powerful impact on parliament. “I certainly think that Georgina blazed a trail that has made it much easier for others to follow.”

Born in 1957, Beyer was of European and Māori (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Porou) descent. Before entering into politics, Beyer was a sex worker and performer at nightclubs. She was a strong advocate sex workers rights and helped pass the landmark Prostution Reform Act 2003, which decriminalised sex work.

In her first address to parliament as an MP, she said:

“This is a first not only in New Zealand, ladies and gentlemen, but also in the world. This is an historic moment. We need to acknowledge that this country of ours leads the way in so many aspects. We have led the way for women getting the vote. We have led the way in the past, and I hope we will do so again in the future in social policy and certainly in human rights.”

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