Nonetheless, the story of Georgina’s life is not all lace and satin, and the challenges she has faced are like no others’ as well.
Georgina was born biologically male in 1957 into a Maori family of New Zealand. Her original name was George Bertrand.
“I wasn’t aware of support groups for transsexuals when I was growing up,” says Georgina, and goes on, “In fact, I saw transsexuals for the first time in my life at a drag ball when I was 16, and they were so beautiful and glamorous.” It was then when Georgina realized that there was more than heterosexuality in the world, and that there was an identity where she could fit in.
She acknowledged her sexuality, and began her transformation at the age of 17. But her decision to do so came with many obstacles.
“Most of my family members didn’t support me as a teenager,” says Georgina, who was brought up under Christian values. “I came out to my mother four months before she passed away. She was the only person I respected, and whose opinion mattered to me,” she informs. Georgina’s mother asked her to come as a son to her funeral and she did fulfill her wish.
“New Zealand was a far more conservative society in the 70s, and there was a lot of institutional discrimination, hate and brutality against homosexuals and transsexuals,” says Georgina. She was forced to go into prostitution to make ends meet, and she hated it. In 1979, the then 22 year old, Georgina went through an ordeal that would change her life.
“I was brutally raped by four men in Sydney, Australia, where I was working at that time,” says Georgina, “The mental trauma left by the incident were far more severe than the physical injuries I suffered.”
Georgina developed suicidal tendencies, but she finally came through and decided that she was not going to be let down. “It was not my problem that I’m a transsexual, it was theirs. I’m who I am, and people will have to live with it,” says a fierce Georgina.
A determined Georgina then ventured into the entertainment world where she garnered much fame. But even there she was not spared by typecasts.
“I wanted to play all sorts of roles on television, but I was always the cabaret dancer—‘the lady of the night’,” she puts in. “For instance, they wouldn’t let me play the role of a mother with four kids even if I wanted to.” In 1984, while pursuing her onscreen career, Georgina, then 27, underwent a sexual-reassignment surgery.
However, barriers still existed for her. “I wanted to change my life, so I moved to Carterton, a rural conservative town, and started to do community-based works,” goes on Georgina. “I wanted to stop victimizing myself, and I wanted to prove that I was worthy, able and intelligent like any other, and it had nothing to do with my sexuality.”
In 1993, she became an urban ward councilor of Carterton, and in 1995, she was elected mayor of the town. In 1998, Georgina was reelected with a 90% majority, and in 1999, she became the first openly transsexual person to win a seat in the House of Parliament from the Labor Party of New Zealand.
During her seven years as MP, Georgina was an advocate for civil unions, human rights, and equality for minorities, and many other campaigns. She also served on various parliamentary committees from Law and Order to Local Government and Environment, Primary Production, MMP Review, and she was the Chairperson of the Social Services Committee for four years. She retired from her political career in 2007.
“The gay community of New Zealand had to struggle a lot, but we can say that there is virtual equality at the moment. However, there are certain laws that still need to be passed,” says Georgina. “Homosexual couples don’t have the right to adopt children as of yet, and we’re also advocating for the removal of ‘provocation as defense’ for hate crimes.”
When asked about her opinions on the gay movement of Nepal, Georgina replies, “I think that it’s going very well and there’s a strong advocacy by the Blue Diamond Society (BDS).” Georgina said that she was surprised to see many young transgender members at an event organized by BDS on September 5 in Kathmandu. Georgina arrived in Nepal on September 4 on a five-day goodwill visit on the invitation by BDS.
“Many political leaders seem to be supporting the gay community here, but it’s different when it comes to taking actions,” she reminds.
“The danger is that governments may change and so can laws. Therefore, I urge activists not to remain complacent after achieving their goals,” advises Georgina.
Speaking at the event, Georgina Beyer juxtaposed Sunil Babu Pant, Nepal’s first openly gay MP, to Edmund Hillary, a fellow New Zealander, and herself to Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.
She said, “Without Sherpa, Hillary wouldn’t have been able to conquer Mt. Everest, and today, 57 years later, I’m here to support Sunil to overcome the social mountains of the LGBTI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex] community of Nepal.”
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