Beck,
K., Speckhard, A., & Shepherd, W. (2013). Warrior princess: a U.S. Navy
Seal’s journey to coming out transgender. McLean VA: Advances Press.
Hardback
| $24.99 USD | ISBN-13: 978-1935866435 | 254 pages | Adult Non-Fiction
What is gender? Is it only the physical
parts that we are born with? If
our gender changes will society accept these changes readily? Can gender be
constructed inside your mind or heart or brain? Many in our society have their own opinion on this and these
opinions differ so widely. Kristen Beck will share her opinion and life story
as she transitioned from a man to a woman in her co-authored memoir Warrior Princess.
Kristen Beck was once called another name: Chris Beck. Chris was a high school football player,
drove a motorcycle and became a U.S. Navy SEAL. He was in the military for over
twenty years. He earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star (“Barnes and
Noble,” n.d.). He was a man physically, but, he knew at a young age that
he was meant to be a woman. His
family was religiously conservative so he didn’t say anything – he had no one
to share this with. He withdrew and lived with these feelings internally for a
long time. Then, he retired from the military and went through the stages to
change his gender completely.
Chris became Kristen and this is her story.
Of course, it was not an easy journey for Kristen – she had to deal
with her family’s rejection, failed relationships, and PTSD from serving on
thirteen deployments, including seven combat deployments. But, she wanted to
share it. Kristen’s story will help all of us to see that it is more important
to be who you are and express that freely than hide your true identity. Her story may help us all to empathize
with others experiencing the gender identity issues that our culture judges so
intently and so viciously. Perhaps
more coming out stories like this one will combat our society’s strict rules
and perceptions of what gender can be in our society.
Beck worked with Anne Speckhard, Ph.D., an
Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical
School to write this memoir. Dr.
Speckhard has been working in the field of PTSD since the 1980s (“Anne Speckhard”, n.d.). Though the book may have needed one
more team member to provide more concise editing, this book is recommended for young
adult readers (ages 18+) who may be struggling with coming out as a
transgender. Also recommended for other readers who want to understand the
journey and very difficult path for those among us who struggle with gender
identity, perhaps in our own families. U.S. Navy SEALS are the manliest of men
– they are warriors. Only men are permitted to be U.S. Navy SEALS. Perhaps this
story will show you that it is not the gender of the person that determines who
they are, but their actions and service.
Beck worked diligently and served our country well during his tenure in
the Navy. Maybe because Beck was
so tough and trained to be strong, she was able to share her story and her struggle. If she can do this, than anyone can.
