Culture
Georgina Beyer, the world's first transgender parliamentarian, dies at 65
Throughout her career, she fought for the legalization of civil unions and gay marriage, and the decriminalization of prostitution
March 8, 2023 8:46am
Updated: March 8, 2023 8:46am
The world’s first openly transgender member of parliament, New Zealand’s Georgina Beyer, died at the age of 65.
Beyer’s death has not yet been disclosed, however, the politician had been battling kidney disease for a while. In 2017, she received a kidney transplant after four years of suffering from renal failure
"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 until the final moment," her friend, Scott Kennedy, wrote.
“Farewell Georgie, your love, compassion and all that you have done for the Rainbow and many other communities will live on forever,” he added.
Today, we acknowledge the passing of Georgina Beyer – the worlds first openly transgender MP. Georgina has left lasting impression on Parliament, and we extend our condolences to her loved ones.
— NZ Parliament (@NZParliament) March 6, 2023
Watch Georgina's Rainbow Voices interview from 2019: https://t.co/sWBLubpvfm pic.twitter.com/7Ov8uaCYY4
After working as a sex worker, actor, and drag queen, Beyer served as mayor of Carterton, a rural town in the country’s North Island. In 1990 she was elected to the country’s national parliament and served as a Labour MP until 2007. She ran again for parliament in 2014 but was not elected.
In 2020, Beyer was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout her career, she fought for the legalization of civil unions and gay marriage, and the decriminalization of prostitution.
“On the third reading of the Prostitution Reform Act, I got up and said, ‘I will assume Mr. Speaker that I am the only person in this chamber who has ever worked in the sex industry’,” Beyer said at the time.
“I paused and looked around to see whose hands were going to go flying up. Of course, there weren’t any. In that moment I guess they gave me tacit approval that I was the expert on this thing in this chamber,” she added.
Despite not knowing her well personally, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Beyer’s presence made a lasting impression on the nation’s parliament.
“I certainly think that Georgina has blazed a trail that has made it much easier for others to follow,” Hipkins said.
