Georgina Beyer

Georgina Beyer knows all about breaking barriers - becoming the first transgender MP in the world. But what is her biggest regret as a Māori MP in Parliament?

Content warning: This article discusses suicide and could be distressing for some people.

Watch the video version of the episode here

*The views expressed in this interview are the honestly held opinion of Georgina Beyer

Georgina Beyer knows all about breaking barriers - becoming the first transgender MP in the world. But what is her biggest regret as a Māori MP in Parliament?

"A disaster, an absolute nightmare... it was one of the largest proposed confiscations from Māori, in modern times".

The former Labour Party MP describes the fallout over the Foreshore and Seabed legislation to Matangireia presenter Scott Campbell.

Beyer never shies away from the painful path she took to becoming one of New Zealand's most trailblazing politicians.

Beyer's list of achievements are extensive - a drag queen, a sex worker, an actor, an activist, a Mayor, and a MP.

In fact, when elected in 1999, she was the world's first transgender Member of Parliament, becoming known for her bold and colourful exterior.

But her story is one of pain, adversity, and fear - and it's also one of courage and bravery.

Beyer was born George. Her biological father was a policeman who was sent to jail, leaving her mother to fend for herself and two young children.

Raised by her grandparents, until her mother remarried, she describes life in the Beyer household as "mildly well-off". Her stepfather Colin was a barrister and solicitor.

From around four years old, Beyer started to secretly express her feminine side through theatre, dressing up and acting.

"If I was caught or discovered, or anything like that, it would be dealt with physical punishment, corporal punishment - beatings, hidings, things like that, to beat it out of me."

At 16 years old, George became Georgina, but the abuse followed her from home to the streets.

As a sex worker, she was confronted daily with physical and verbal abuse from members of the public.

"It drove me to suicide... to attempt suicide on three times, in my young life," Beyer said, "I had been pack-raped in Sydney in 1979, which was a terrifying, horrifying experience, and the law didn't defend me."

After working in a gay night club in Auckland, she moved from the glitzy lights of Karangahape Road to conservative back blocks of the Wairarapa.

It was in Carterton Beyer's career in politics began…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details