Transgender Navy SEAL a 'Warrior Princess'

6/28/2014

"No one ever met the real me."

On the heels of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's remarks in Mayconcerning transgender service members being allowed into the U.S. military, a former Navy SEAL, now transgender, is making the rounds speaking at high-profile events to boost support for a change in military policy.

Christopher Beck, now Kristin Beck, served over 20 years on SEAL Teams 1, 5 and 6 and was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor, a Purple Heart, and others. About a year and a half after retirement, Beck appeared on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 in 2013 and announced his decision to come out as transgender. 

At a recent official Pride Month event, hosted by the Defense Intelligence Agency, Beck was the keynote speaker and said:

We are all, all of us created equal, and we all deserve equal justice.

The world is looking at us. You can change the wallpaper, but I’m still right here. I can still do the job I was doing in uniform.

The Washington Times, calling Beck the "poster girl" for the Pentagon, listed several other speaking engagements including the National Reconnaissance Office and Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The Times also points out that according to the Pentagon, transgenders are considered "sexual deviants." Beck responded negatively via Twitter to the article:

Beck authored "Warrior Princess" and is now the focus of a CNN Films documentary, "Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story." In the trailer, Beck says, "No one ever met the real me," and adds, "In some ways, this is way more mentally and physically rigorous than many things I've done in my past." Beck calls his transformation "a new mission" and aims to change Pentagon policy with this message.

Beck's "new armor," as he puts it, consists of makeup and dresses.

I fought for 20 years for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And I want some happiness.

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