While the stigma of being gay has diminished these past years, leading to such things as gay marriage, the trans-gender community continues to be apart from that community. A gay man or woman can walk down a street and remain anonymous unless he or she is being deliberately flamboyant (don't get me wrong; they are still persecuted in just about every way). A trans-gender person is met with raised eyebrows and confusion, at the very least, discomfort. I can't think of much else that would be riskier than this. This documentary is about Kris Beck/Kristin Beck, who was part of the elite SEALS, a group that faced incredibly danger, during 13 deployments, including 7 combat deployments. He/She was decorated for valor and received a Purple Heart. Beck was not just a SEAL but had the reputation as one who was near suicidal in confronting enemy fire, doing things others would not have done. This almost monomaniacal commitment led to great problems in his marriage (he has two sons whom he hasn't seen in years). When his military career was over, he realized what was going on. He had already been cross dressing when he could as a child and had all sorts of conflicts with his being. Of course, this was the final straw in the marriage. This documentary shows what it is like to try to continue to do things that most of us take for granted, to lead a life we would like to have, and do it under circumstances where people often see you as scum (being told he will have lots of company in hell; I suppose these are self professed Christians). While the presentation is a little bit repetitive, it's a thoughtful, courageous portrayal. At one point Beck says something like, "It's not like a movie. There are no happy endings." See this and see someone who is just human being. Also, I was really impressed with some of his SEAL brothers who have managed to support him/her along the way.

I didn't know what to expect when I started watching this documentary. And slowly, I came to see who Kristen Beck is, and how earnest and genuine she is. She gave so much to this country. And now she is trying to live her life, simply as herself--with the same honesty and focus and intensity she brought to her work in the Navy for twenty-one years. The film is done very well. It tries hard to show both sides of a complex and brilliant individual, one who continues to serve her country. There is so much hyperbole about SEALS. How they are supermen, capable of doing the impossible. The best of the best. There are movies and books and stories about their feats. The reality as shown in this documentary is both different and more exciting because it is real. They are real. The camaraderie between Kristen and her former teammates transcends gender. She is, and always will be, a Navy SEAL. Period. That says more about the SEALS than any dramatization ever could. You will come to see that gender is a non-issue. What matters--both in the military and in all areas of life--is commitment, ideals and a willingness to work hard. Lady Valor is heartwarming and inspiring. And Kristen Beck is someone we should all be proud of. She is one of ours.

Lady Valor was well-received at its world premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. The unique transformation of Chris to Kristen is eloquently conveyed. The film, which was developed from a profile originally run by CNN's Anderson Cooper, tells the remarkable story of the transformation of a macho gung-ho decorated 20-year Navy Seal from a man's man to a woman. Obviously, it is meant to challenge some of the stereotypes that often exist about the transgendered. The story is certainly well-told with deft touch for humanizing Kristen's struggles. It shows Kristen's often difficult struggle for acceptance with her family and her former military colleagues. I think this story might have been more shocking a few years ago and still will be with certain audiences although at this stage it didn't seem all that hard to believe for the audience at a progressive film festival in a liberal city like Austin, TX. Of course, these aren't the people that need to see this story. This film needs to be viewed by military folks who may still hold negative views of transgendered youth. It also needs to be viewed by young people in some more conservative parts of the country who haven't been exposed to this sort of situation. Unfortunately, I fear that the folks that most need to see this film are ones least likely to view it.