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World’s First Out Transgender Member of Parliament Dies at 65

World’s First Out Transgender Member of Parliament Dies at 65

Georgina Beyer, the first out transgender woman elected to government worldwide in New Zealand in 1999

During Georgina Beyer's time in public office, she became well known for her LGBTQ+ advocacy and efforts to bring marriage equality to New Zealand.

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New Zealander Georgina Beyer, a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community as the world’s first out transgender member of parliament, has died after a long battle with kidney disease. She was 65.

The former sex worker, actor, and drag queen was elected to the national parliament in 1999.

Following four years of end-stage renal failure and daily dialysis, Beyer received a kidney transplant in 2017.

A friend, Scotty Kennedy, posted a Facebook message on Monday informing people that she had passed away while in hospice care, Reuters reports.

“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,” Kennedy wrote.

After serving as a member of the parliament until 2007, she unsuccessfully ran for parliament again in 2014 as a member of the former Mana Party. In 2020, she earned the New Zealand Order of Merit for her efforts to legalize gay marriage and civil unions and decriminalize prostitution.

As a result of her work, in 2004, same-sex civil unions became legal in New Zealand, and nine years later, same-sex marriages were legalized there as well. She was remembered as a brave and gracious politician by both sides of the aisle, including conservative National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis.

“We came from different political sides, but she had the power to breach the divide,” Willis wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Beyer had a lasting impact on the New Zealand parliament.

“I certainly think that Georgina blazed a trail that has made it much easier for others to follow.”

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Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).
Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).