GEORGIE GIRL

Annie Goldson and Peter Wells, New Zealand 2001, 70 min, documentary, video, in English without subtitles

This inspiring documentary traces Georgina Beyer’s transformation from a farm boy to prostitute, to cabaret diva, and to politician. It tells the story of how she came to be the first transgendered person ever elected to national office in New Zealand.

When Maori ex-sex worker Georgina Beyer stood for election to the New Zealand House of Parliament, her opponent had a striking campaign slogan: ‘I’m still male.’ Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough to stop Beyer becoming the first transgendered person elected to national office. Co-directors Annie Goldson and Peter Wells trace Beyer’s remarkable transformation from farm boy, to prostitute, to cabaret diva, to politician - for a largely white, rural conservative constituency.
Accompanied by archival footage of outrageous club performances and a ’70s TV documentary on the country’s trans community, plus clips of her acclaimed acting work, Georgina reminisces about her journey from boy to transvestite to transsexual. Peppered throughout the documentary are scenes from Georgina’s daily political life. We see her doing everything from making vibrant, articulate and humorous speeches on the floor of Parliament to judging a local sheep race. And what we find is not just an inspirational politician but a beautiful human being.




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