Neighbor News
Trans Navy Seal Veteran Featured at St. Pete Pride Events Presented by the Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay
VACTB is hosting Kristin Beck, a highly decorated Navy SEAL that came out as transgender after serving 20 years in the military.
St. Petersburg, Florida: Highly decorated retired Navy SEAL Kristin Beck, who gained public attention when she came out as a transgender woman in 2013, will be honored at an artist reception, film screening and parade during St. Pete Pride June 23 and 24.
The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay is presenting the film screening of the documentary “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story” on Friday, June 23 at the freeFall Theatre and exhibiting her artwork at their gallery on Saturday, June 24. Both events are free and will include opportunities for the public to meet her.
The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for military veterans to develop and showcase creative and artistic accomplishments. This assists veterans and their families transition to civilian life and heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) through art therapy.
After serving 20 years as a member of the elite Special Forces Navy SEAL Team 1 Kristin Beck is now an artist, trans activist and subject of the 2014 documentary “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story.” Beck’s military service includes 13 combat deployments, 29 medals, and being a member of a special counter-terrorism unit popularly called SEAL Team Six.
After studying art in college, Beck turned to art again in retirement to help with her PTSD as well as transition to life as a civilian and a transgender woman.
“Being able to share my art and participate in this event is important for me to help raise awareness about the great work being done by the Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay. I hope they are able to raise funds to expand their education programs to serve more veterans and help them heal from PTSD,” said Beck. “Also, I’m excited to come back to the Tampa Bay area after being stationed at MacDill for some time when I was active military member.”
“The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay is honored to present Kristin Beck and showcase her artwork as part of St. Pete Pride,” according to Mack Macksam, founder of Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay. “We want to recognize the diversity of our veterans’ community and how art promotes healing by storytelling through art.”
“Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story”
Friday, June 23
6-7pm Reception
7-9pm Screening and Q&A
freeFall Theatre
6099 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Artist Reception
Saturday, June 24
10am-3pm
Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay Gallery
Gaslight Square
6798 Crosswinds Dr. N
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
About Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay (www.vactb.org): Founded in 2015, the Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay is a nonprofit serving military veterans and first responders by providing opportunities for learning and teaching the arts. Their gallery opened in 2017 and provides exhibits of artists in their programs and other veterans. Art on display includes veterans and military themes along with a wide variety of other subjects. With wellness and recovery as a focus, the organization has a mission to support veterans and their families adjust to civilian life and heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
About Kristin Beck (www.ladyvalorfilm.com): After a distinguished 20-year career as a Navy SEAL, Kristin Beck currently resides on a farm in Maryland. She is a public speaker, artist and subject of the documentary “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story.” She retired with the rank of Senior Chief and received the Bronze Star with a “V” for Valor and a Purple Heart during combat operations. After a lifetime of service, Kristin has learned that her fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness did not end on the battlefield.
