Thu 4 Sep 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Georgina Beyer and Gay Ski Week organiser Sally Whitewoods. Picture / Gay Ski Week Georgina Beyer has been given a rapturous welcome at Gay Ski Week, where she spoke at last night’s cabaret event during her campaign tour of the electorate she hopes to represent. The Mana candidate and former Labour MP was invited on stage by Miss Ribena, who outlined her history-making career as the world’s first openly-trans mayor and then MP to an audience full of international visitors, and said she Beyer “needs to be the Prime Minister of New Zealand”. Beyer told the audience that when the people of Carterton voted her in as mayor in 1995 it was a “reflection of the kind of people we are. A little bit close-minded to begin with, but we know how to prise them open once they see how wonderful we are just as human beings.” She added: “ I love being an out transsexual and I love the fact that I can travel the world and people pay respect not only to me, but also to our country for what it is we’ve achieved,” listing civil unions and ultimately marriage equality, to a massive cheer and applause. “We welcome you one and all,” she said to the Gay Ski Week visitors from around the world. “And hope that you enjoy the hospitality we have over here.” The Mana Party candidate for Te Tai Tonga also had the room in laughter when she explained that after criticising Internet Party leader Kim Dotcom, who Mana is in an alliance with, she had been ‘gagged’, adding “now I just need to be whipped”. For more on Gay Ski Week and what's happening in Queenstown check out www.gayskiweekqt.com and visitor info website www.queenstownnz.co.nz
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 4th September 2014 - 11:49am