Georgie Girl

The life story of Georgina Beyer, born George, a trans-sexual and former sex-worker, who, at the time this film was made, recently was elected to the New Zealand Government by a largely white, rural electorate, making her a world first. The film Georgie Girl traces Georgina Beyer’s colourful pathway.

Born George, she was raised on a farm by a stern grandfather, learning to fish and shoot. In her late teens she discovers the LBGT scene in 70s and 80s Wellington (and mentored by the remarkable late Carmen Rupa) and becomes for a time, a sex-worker and drug user. Taking the unusual step of leaving the city, she achieves rapid ascendency, taken to the heart of a small (conservative) rural town, elected first as a local councillor, then as mayor of Carterton and finally in 1999 as a Member of Parliament, elected into national office under a Labour Government headed by Helen Clark. Georgina never forgets her past however and works hard as an elected official to introduce progressive legislation — including the Prostitution Reform Act, which stops the criminalization of sex-workers. Georgina, who is of Maori (indigenous) descent, has been an inspiration to many. She is an example of a courageous individual who overcame adversity, marginalization and discrimination.