PORT ANGELES — Magic of Cinema and the Peninsula College Rainbow Alliance will host a screening of “Lady Valor,” at 7 p.m. tonight in Maier Performance Hall on the Port Angeles campus, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
In “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story,” former U.S. Navy SEAL Christopher Beck embarks on a new mission as Kristin Beck.
This event is free and open to the public. Donations to the club will be accepted.
Beck’s journey begins as she lives her life as a transgender woman, according to a press release.
Beck served for more than 20 years as a member of the elite Special Forces Navy SEALs on SEAL Team 1 as well as the U.S. Special Warfare Development Group — what many in the public refer to as SEAL Team 6.
Beck retired in 2011 with the rank of senior chief and continued high-level clearance work for the United States government and the Pentagon.
But Beck hid her true identity throughout and after her service, knowing she would lose it all if anyone were to know her secret, according to the film.
In 2013, a year and a half after retirement, Beck came out publicly, first on LinkedIn and on CNN soon thereafter.
This film includes exclusive interviews from Beck’s family and friends about her service, as well as their reactions to her coming out.
It also contains footage of Chris Beck in training and combat.
The documentary was filmed only a few months after the CNN piece had aired, and the truth was still fresh and emotional for those closest to her. While many people have been supportive, some in the public have not, organizers said, adding that “after a lifetime of service, Beck has learned that her fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness did not end on the battlefield.”
The screening will be followed by a talk-back and question-and-answer session with members of the community and the Rainbow Alliance.
The Rainbow Alliance provides community and unity by and for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual and allied communities.
The club also performs outreach and offers education.
For more information, contact Helen Lovejoy at hlovejoy@pencol.edu or 360-417-6362.
