Georgina Beyer, the world’s first openly transgender member of parliament and a prominent LGBTQ advocate, has passed away at the age of 65 in New Zealand. She had long battled kidney disease, but the statements about her death did not mention the cause.
Beyer was a trailblazer in her country’s politics, having served as a mayor and member of parliament for the Labour party. She was known for her unwavering support for LGBTQ rights and her work in legalizing civil unions and gay marriage, as well as decriminalizing prostitution. Her efforts in parliament included speeches in support of the rights of prostitutes, where she spoke about the inhumanity and hypocrisy of society that did not allow them to redeem their circumstances.
- Advertisement -
Her contributions were not limited to the political sphere, as she was a former sex worker, actor, and drag queen. In 2020, Beyer was honored as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the rainbow community.
Beyer’s death was mourned by many, including New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who acknowledged her lasting impression on parliament. Beyer’s legacy as a pioneering transgender politician and passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community will be remembered for years to come.
4 hours ago
