For those that do not know who she is.
Kristen Beck is a Retired US Navy Senior Chief and US Navy SEAL. After retiring in 2011 she came out as transgender and has transitioned. She co-wrote a book Warrior Princess and had a CNN documentary( here is the link= http://www.ladyvalorfilm.com/ )done on her, along with writing a new book now. She is an all around advocate for transgender changes and works and lives in DC.
As a Navy Veteran myself and working in some of the same places she did, there is a chance that we met or that I packed a few parachutes for her, back in the day as our old selves.
Sitting and listening to her tonight was just the thing I need. It gave me hope and confirmed what I need to hear. So that I know that I am not the only person that feels or see things the way I do. It was also great to see two of the people at the Boston VA that are part of a local and national Transgender Care team and that have helped to get the National Policy on Transgender Care, also at the Forum tonight. It showed me that there are some out there that do care and want to help and do what is right. That they want to hear from us and know what we need.
Comments
Yep very down to earth, she is
I've met her, socialized a little bit with her though I could not dominate her time as there were others at the conference who wanted to meet her. Though she did say she thought I was GG ^_^.
new book
the new book is really good, better than WP
Katie Leone (Katie-Leone.com)
Writing is what you do when you put pen to paper, being an author is what you do when you bring words to life
gotta get it
WP was ghost written by an incompetent ( according to Kristen ) so it is no surprise the new one is better.
She did not say much about
She did not say much about the book last night.
I have read it also agree with her. The new one should be a lot better.
Kristen and I talked a bit about the history of WP
... Along with a couple of other transfolks during an afternoon snack in Massachusetts at Fantasia Fair.
Basically she claims that she made a deal with her ghostwriter (and publishing agent) and the ghostwriter wrote crap. She has been trying to break that deal but since WP is still on sale, guess she has not succeeded. Kristin is very dedicated to being a transadvocate/activist, going to a number of events pretty much on her own dime.
no ghost writer
WP doesn't have a ghost writer, it has a co-author. And the co-author got Kristin in an unfair contract.
The new book, also entitled Lady Valor, is by far a much better piece than the beginning. It doesn't have a ghost writer because all the writing is Kristin's. Right now it is complete but needs some polishing and knowing Kristin, she won't quit until it is perfect. She is a tireless worker, but I hope people spend time just to thank her for what he has done for the country (Americans) and what she is doing to advance transgender equality in the military. She gets millions of messages a day, and there are a lot more bad comments than good ones.
If you ever have money for a cause, I hope you consider donating to Kristin so she can pay travel expenses and afford a motel room instead of sleeping in her little Mazda Miata (Last I saw, she also had a Winnebago for longer trips). She is a good person and sacrificed greatly for the ideals of what America is supposed to stand for.
Katie Leone (Katie-Leone.com)
Writing is what you do when you put pen to paper, being an author is what you do when you bring words to life
Boston VA
I will probably be visiting the Boston VA shortly. I have a regular appointment with my PTSD/depression Shrink on Christmas Eve at the Northhampton VA and I will be asking for a referral to the Clinic in West Roxbury at that time.
Boston VA is great.
Most likely it would be at Jamaica Plains VA, West Roxbury is mainly a medical Hospital.
If you need a contact or anything send me a message.
I co-facilitate the Vet2Vet Transgender group, there every other Thursday.
I also have regular contact with several members of the LGBT Care Team and several are also part of the PTSD Program as well.