Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Transgender Navy SEAL hero dares Trump: 'Tell me I'm not worthy to my face'

The Pentagon and the LGBTQ community were stunned by the President's announcement

Andrew Buncombe
New York
Wednesday 26 July 2017 11:45 EDT
Comments
Ms Beck left the Navy in 2011
Ms Beck left the Navy in 2011 (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The reaction of former Navy SEAL Team 6 member Kristin Beck to Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, could not have been simpler: “Let’s meet face to face and you tell me I’m not worthy.”

The 20-year military veteran, who became the first US Navy SEAL to come out as transgender in 2013, said a person’s gender identity made no difference to their ability to do the job.

“Being transgender doesn’t affect anyone else,” she told Business Insider. “We are liberty’s light. If you can’t defend that for everyone that’s an American citizen, that’s not right.”

Transgender candidate Danica Roen campaigns prior to winning Virginia primary

Ms Beck, 51, said the President’s abrupt change in policy could negatively affect many currently or wanting to serve in the military. A Rand Corporation study estimated there were between 1,320 to 6,630 transgender people currently serving.

Ms Beck, who left the Navy in 2011, published a memoir in June 2013 entitled Warrior Princess: A US Navy SEAL’s journey to coming out transgender.

“I was defending individual liberty,” she said. “I defended for Republicans, I defended for Democrats. I defended for everyone.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in