Georgina Beyer Seriously Ill

Georgina Beyer, who rose from a challenging situation to become the world's first trans MP in 1999 is reportedly seriously ill with a chronic kidney infection that will force her to do four day a week dialysis unless she gets a kidney transplant.

The 55 year old Beyer was about to announce her candidacy for mayor of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city and has not confirmed as of yet if she will drop those plans to run

She stood for election as a Labour MP in the November 1999 general election and energized the trans community in New Zealand and around the world by winning a usually right-leaning electorate in Wairarapa to become the world's first openly transgender MP.  She held that seat until she resigned from New Zealand's parliament in February 2007.

"I'm sure as hell not going to sit back and think, "woe is me",' said Beyer in an interview with Woman's Day magazine. "I refuse to be defeatist. This health issue has cast a huge shadow, but I'm going to be positive and proactive.'

And we'll follow your lead on that in addition to saying our prayers for you.