Harawira Hone: General DebateText is subject to correctionHarawira Hone: General Debate[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:26. Text is subject to correction.]HONE HARAWIRA (Leader—Mana): Actress advocate human rights activist international icon social worker trailblazer JP a friend to many in this House the name behind two questions in world trivia and role model for the three Ps—politician prostitute and public servant; roles that she felt were often interchangeable and sometimes all played at the same time—Georgina Beyer first burst on to the scene when she won Miss Personality in a drag queen contest. Her bubbly and straight-talking persona made her an instant celebrity from which she launched a long and tempestuous career as a film and television actress—her modesty does not permit me to say when it all begin although her dazzling demeanour suggests that there is more to come—featuring on numerous television shows including a starring role inDancing with the Stars and earning a best actress nomination for her role inJewel’s Darl.But undoubtedly Georgina’s greatest influence came through her political career beginning when she rocked the pundits to become the world’s first ever openly transsexual mayor in 1995 in Carterton one of the most conservative towns in our country defying the odds and overthrowing many long-held stereotypes in the process. More important though Georgina went on to earn the trust and respect of her community with her straight-shooting and no-holds-barred approach to her job and her public profile.Always quick to latch on to a star on the rise Labour encouraged Georgina to enter national politics and on 27 November 1999 she again made history as the world’s first openly transsexual member of Parliament unseating the National candidate in a landslide and again in one of the country’s whitest and most conservative rural electorates Wairarapa. Georgina says that it was all much of a surprise uttering aphrase that was heard all around the Commonwealth: “Am I really the first transsexual MP? What about Maggie Thatcher?”. And yet despite winning one of the most conservative seats in Parliament and representing its interests well enough to waltz back in at the next election with an increased majority Georgina was also the flag-bearer for the gay lesbian bisexual and transgender community and led the House in promoting prostitution law reform and civil unions. It was a pioneering and multifaceted role which turned her into a sought-after media commentator and international keynote speaker on human rights.In 2005 Georgina considered resigning from Parliament disillusioned by the impact that Labour’s foreshore and seabed legislation would have on Māori but she stayed on to oppose what she called the homophobic rhetoric of groups like Destiny Church. She eventually resigned from the House in February 2007.In her time in this House Georgina served her many constituencies with passion and with vigour. She is a knowledgable and forthright advocate for human rights who teaches us all to be strong in our beliefs to be true to our history to never back down from a challenge and to respect all those who want to be positive contributors to our society regardless of sex race creed and gender. Georgina stared down all examinations of her competence. She rose above the interrogations about her sexuality. She handled the public perception with aplomb. She enjoyed a public profile that most MPs could only dream of. And she did it all while holding the title of best-dressed woman in Parliament for every one of her 8 years in the House.Georgina recently became unwell with kidney failure and so tomorrow we celebrate her achievements at a special tribute evening here in Wellington organised by Louisa Wall and hosted by Tariana Turia where Georgina will be surrounded by friends past and present. And for those of you who can remember Georgina’s strident and powerful opposition to the Destiny Church march on Parliament please know that Brian and HannahTāmaki’s presence at the tribute to Georgina signals just how wide and powerful has been the influence of this amazing woman.Georgina it is an honour to have you with us in Parliament today and I am sure that I speak on behalf of us all when I say thank you for your wonderful contribution to this House to this country and indeed to the whole wide world. You are truly a remarkable woman and today it is my honour to honour you on our behalf. Tēnā koe e te tuahine. Tēnātātou katoa.