• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Madonna SLAMS Haters Of Her ‘Unrecognizable’ Face At The Grammys: ‘You Won’t Break My Soul’
  • Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care
  • ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

Former Elite Navy Seal Comes Out as Transgender in New Book

Andy Towle June 4, 2013

Navyseal

A former U.S. Navy Seal is speaking out about her transition to a woman in a new biography published over the weekend called Warrior Princess. Beck was a member of the elite SEAL Team 6, earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, and served in the unit that killed Osama bin Laden, though retired shortly before that raid.

ABC News reports:

WarriorprincessKristin Beck, formerly Chris, served 20 years as a SEAL and fought on some of the most dangerous battlefields in the world, but after she left the service she realized she wasn't living the life she wanted.

"Chris really wanted to be a girl and felt that she was a girl and consolidated that identity very early on in childhood," said Anne Speckhard, co-author of Beck's biography "Warrior Princess," which was published over the weekend. Speckhard told ABC News Beck suppressed that secret for decades, however, through the trials of SEAL training and the harrowing missions that followed, growing a burly beard as she fought on the front lines of American special operations.

The Atlantic reports that Beck decided to undergo hormonal therapy some time after retiring in early 2011, and came out to colleagues by posting a photo of herself on LinkedIn. Beck said her SEAL colleagues gave their full support:

Soon, the responses from SEALs stationed all around the world suddenly started pouring in: "Brother, I am with you … being a SEAL is hard, this looks harder. Peace" * "I can't say I understand the decision but I respect the courage. Peace and happiness be upon you…Jim" * " … I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you that Kris has all the support and respect from me that Chris had … and quite possibly more. While I'm definitely surprised, I'm also in amazement at the strength you possess and the courage necessary to combat the strangers and 'friends' that I'm guessing have reared their ugly heads prior to and since your announcement. …"

The book is expected to have an effect on military policy toward transgender servicemembers, who are banned from entering military service.

Just last month, the Department of Defense recognized for the first time officially that transgender veterans have served in a uniformed capacity when they reflected the gender identification of activist and veteran Autumn Sandeen.

Topics: Living | Loving, Military, News, Trans Rights, World More Posts About: Kristin Beck, Military, News, Transgender

Related Posts
  • Trans nonbinary Broadway star withdraws from Tony consideration over gendered categories
  • Trump outlines plan to attack trans rights if re-elected, vows to ‘protect children from left-wing gender insanity’
  • North Dakota Republican floats fining transgender people $1,500 if they use ‘wrong’ pronouns
  • Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

    Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

    Published by AlterNet A federal judge ruled against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for minors seeking gender-affirming treatment to be subjected to two-hour mental examinations, Orlando Weekly reports. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle …Read More »
  • ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

    ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

    Published by Al-Araby In a colourful setting on level -1 of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in the heart of Paris, installations, videos, paintings, drawings, designs and embroideries are showcased until February 19 under the title …Read More »
  • Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

    Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny and Jeremy Pope will be honoured at the GLAAD Media Awards. The trio will be recognised for their contribution to the LGBTQ community at the ceremony that …Read More »
  • Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

    Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

    Published by DPA Bret Easton Ellis, the cult author behind "American Psycho", is back with a massive novel about wealthy teenagers, a mysterious newcomer student and a serial killer, all narrated by a teen who shares …Read More »
Previous Post: « UK House of Lords to Vote on Marriage Equality Bill: Watch LIVE
Next Post: Where the U.S. Stands on Marriage Equality and Bans: MAP »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • ‘Most disrespectful bill’ — Missouri lawmakers push to ban teachers from discussing LGBTQ identity

    ‘Most disrespectful bill’ — Missouri lawmakers push to ban teachers from discussing LGBTQ identity

  • First gay married vicar attacks Church of England’s same-sex marriage blessing rule

    First gay married vicar attacks Church of England’s same-sex marriage blessing rule

  • European cost of living crisis: Berlin paying young people to go clubbing

    European cost of living crisis: Berlin paying young people to go clubbing

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • ‘At Least You Know I’m Singing Live’: Adele FORGETS The Lyrics To Her Award-Winning Song At Las Vegas Residency Before Grammys

    ‘At Least You Know I’m Singing Live’: Adele FORGETS The Lyrics To Her Award-Winning Song At Las Vegas Residency Before Grammys

  • ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director SLAMS Michael Jackson Biopic Starring Late King Of Pop’s Nephew, Claiming It Will ‘Glorify A Pedophile’

    ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director SLAMS Michael Jackson Biopic Starring Late King Of Pop’s Nephew, Claiming It Will ‘Glorify A Pedophile’

  • Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton’s ‘little known’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer role

    Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton’s ‘little known’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer role

RSS Partner Links

  • What The Hell, Grammys?!
  • 'Like' Is a Four-Letter Word
  • Brad Pitt & George Clooney Film Late-Night Scenes for 'Wolves' Thriller in NYC
  • “Jessica Chastain wore a beautiful purple velvet dress in NYC” links
  • ‘Baby Brain’ Princess Kate is ‘winning her battle’ against ‘nemesis’ Meghan
  • OMG, he’s naked again: Salim Kechiouche in French film ‘Constance aux Enfers’
  • OMG, have you heard? More Magic Mike?!

Most Recent

  • Madonna SLAMS Haters Of Her ‘Unrecognizable’ Face At The Grammys: ‘You Won’t Break My Soul’

    Madonna SLAMS Haters Of Her ‘Unrecognizable’ Face At The Grammys: ‘You Won’t Break My Soul’

  • Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

    Judge denies DeSantis’ request for ‘mental examinations’ for minors seeking gender-affirming care

  • ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

    ‘Habibi’ beams light onto queer love in the Arab region

  • Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

    Christina Aguilera and Bad Bunny to be honoured at GLAAD Media Awards

  • Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

    Bret Easton Ellis returns with ‘The Shards’ – dark autofiction

  • Indigo Girls in “Protect Trans Kids” T-shirt Are More Than “Fine” At Tiny Desk Show; And Queer Playlist From 10 Years of NPR Concerts:  WATCH

    Indigo Girls in “Protect Trans Kids” T-shirt Are More Than “Fine” At Tiny Desk Show; And Queer Playlist From 10 Years of NPR Concerts: WATCH

  • Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs

    Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs

  • Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

    Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×